AfroCubism to Make New York City Debut

AfroCubism, “The original idea for the Buena Vista Social Club“, will make their New York City debut on Tuesday, November 9 at 8:00 p.m. at New York’s Town Hall, located at 123 West 43 Street.

AfroCubism was record producer Nick Gold’s original idea for the Buena Vista Social Club: a stellar collaboration of musicians from Mali and Cuba. 13 years ago, a tale of lost passports meant that the Africans never arrived and so instead, a rather fine but different record was made.

Now the original plan has finally been realized with an incredible group of musicians. Original invitees Cuban singer/guitarist Eliades Ochoa and Malians Bassekou Kouyate (ngoni) and Djelimady Tounkara (electric guitar) are joined by Eliades’ Grupo Patria, Toumani Diabate (kora), Kasse Mady Diabate (vocals) and Lasana Diabate (balafon).

This extraordinary band came together to record an album, to be released by Nonesuch/World Circuit in October, and in the process have created a wonderful new sound.

Line up:

Eliades Ochoa – Lead Guitar & Lead Vocal
Toumani Diabaté – Kora
Bassekou Kouyate – Ngoni
Djelimady Tounkara – Guitar
Kasse Mady Diabaté – Vocal
Lassana Diabaté – Balafon
Osnel Odit – Guitar
Jose A. Martinez – Double bass
Jorge Maturell – Congas & Bongos
Eglis Ochoa – Maracas
Lennis Lara – Trumpet
Alain A. Dragonit – Trumpet
Baba Sissoko – Tamani

Tickets at $65, $50, and $35 are on sale now by calling Ticketmaster at 212-307-4100 or online at Ticketmaster.com Box Office sales begin on October 20 the Town Hall box office. This concert is co-presented by New Audiences, Absolutely Live Entertainment and boomBOOM presents.

Recordings available:

In North America:

• AfroCubism
• Eliades Ochoa: Buena Vista Social Club, Cubafrica (1998), Sublime Ilusión (1999); Tributo a Cuarteto Patria (2000) and Estoy Como Nunca (2002)
• Toumani Diabate: In the Heart of the Moon (2004), Ali and Toumani
  (2010); Boulevard de l’Indépendance (2005), The Mandé Variations (2008), Kaira, Djelika, Kulanjan
• Bassekou Kouyate: Segu Blue, I Speak Fula
• Djelimady Tounkara: Sigui (2001) and Solon Kono (2006)

In Europe:

• AfroCubism
• Eliades Ochoa: Buena Vista Social Club
• Toumani Diabate: In the Heart of the Moon (2004), Ali and Toumani(2010); Boulevard de l’Indépendance (2005)
• Bassekou Kouyate: Segu Blue, I Speak Fula
• Djelimady Tounkara: Solon Kono (2006)