JUNE 2, 2009
Oumou Sangare Releases New Album, Announces International Tour Dates
Seya Will Be Malian Singer's First New Album In Six Years
Malian singer Oumou Sangare's first album in six years, Seya, will be released by World Circuit/Nonesuch Records on June 9. This summer, Sangare tours major festivals in support of the new record.
Since her debut release Moussoulou rocketed her to national stardom in 1989, Sangare has retained her position as one of West Africa's most outspoken artists. Her trademark wassoulou sound is rooted in a deep attachment to the culture of Wasulu, the remote forest region in the south of Mali from which her family hails.
Sangare began recording Seya in the Malian capital of Bamako with a core group of the musical city's notable artists including long time collaborator Benego Diakite on kamele ngoni (Wassoulou harp), Massambou Wele Diallo (arranger), and Neba Solo (balafon), among many others. She enlisted the Malian arranger and producer Cheikh Tidiane Seck, pushing the boundaries of Wassoulou music with a diverse line-up of guest contributors including Tony Allen (drums), Fred Wesley (trombone), Pee Wee Ellis (saxophone), and Magic Malik (flute). World Circuit head Nick Gold co-produced the record with Sangare and Seck.
As with her previous albums, all of the songs on Seya were written by Sangare, who is known for her incisive commentary on life in Mali. Her work has especially impacted discussions of women's issues. On Seya, Sangare explores how mortality encourages us to leave a legacy for the next generation, discuses the importance of harmony in marriage, and denounces polygamy. She also calls for parents to stop encouraging under-age marriage.
Oumou Sangare's albums and dynamic performances have earned her a devoted following around the world. She is sought out for collaborations by a wide range of international artists including Alicia Keys, Bela Fleck, Trilok Gurtu, and Meshell Ndegeocello.
Oumou Sangare Tour Dates:
05/22/09 Druga Godba Festival, Druga Godba, Slovenia
05/26/09Nattjazz, Bergen, Norway
05/29/09 Inntoene Festival, Diersbach, Austria
05/30/09 Africa Festival, Wuerzburg, Germany
05/31/09 Musiques Metisses, Angouleme, France
06/20/09 Afro Latino Festival, Bree, Belguim
06/21/09 Mundial Festival, Tilburg, Netherlands
06/27/09 Jazz Vienne, Vienne, France
06/30/09 Basilica Of St Denis, St Denis, France
07/02/09 Millennium Park, Chicago, IL
07/03/09 Caramoor, Katonah, NY (w/ Bela Fleck)
07/04/09 Cityfolk Festival, Dayton, OH
07/05/09 Central Park SummerStage, New York, NY (w/ Les Nubians)
07/05/09 Summerstage, Binghamton, NY (w/ Bela Fleck)
07/06/09 Stone Mountain Arts Center, Brownfield, ME (w/ Bela Fleck)
07/08/09 Wed Montreal Jazz Fest, Montreal, QC
07/09/09 Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest, Ottawa, ON
07/10/09 Winnipeg Folk Festival, Winnipeg, MB
07/11/09 Winnipeg Folk Festival, Winnipeg, MB
07/12/09 Queen's Park, Toronto, ON
07/15/09 City International Festival, Quebec City, QC (w/ Bela Fleck)
07/17/09 Festivus for the Restivus (Manifestivus), Cabot, VT
07/18/09 Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival, Trumansburg, NY
07/18/09 Grass Roots Festival, Trumansburg, NY (w/ Bela Fleck)
07/24/09 La Mar De Musicas Cartagena, Colombia
07/25/09 WOMAD Festival, Wiltshire, UK
08/02/09 Cambridge Folk Festival, Cambidge, UK
08/28/09 Fri Helsinki Festival Helsinki, Findland
08/30/09 Sun Festival Of World Cultures Dun Laoghaire Co Dublin, Ireland
09/01/09 Tue Vidor Festival Vidor, Hungary
09/03/09 Thu House Of World Cultures Berlin, Germany
10/22/09 Thu Forest National Brussels, Belguim
11/05/09 Thu World Music Festival Oslo, Norway
11/06/09 Fri Stockholm Concert Hall Stockholm, Sweden
11/08/09 Sun Selam Gothemburg, Sweden
11/14/09 Sat centro cultural de belem Lisbon, Portugal