Chatting w/ Malian artists Tartit;Mamadou Kelly; & Mohamed of Imharhan---in D.C.Saturday

This Saturday night July 27 brings the Festival au Desert: Caravan for Peace tour with Tartit (pictured above), Mamadou Kelly, and Imharhan to Tropicalia.  The show is a tribute to the event that took place among the sand dunes outside Timbuktu, Mali for twelve years until the recent upheaval that led to Islamic radicals taking control of north Mali.  Although the French have since driven the radicals largely into hiding, portions of Mali remain unsafe due to suicide bomber attacks and economically damaged with the Festival postponed indefinitely. More than human interest stories, these performers merit interest for their music alone. Tartit’s five women vocalist/percussionists chant  drone-like Tamashek lyrics aided by the minimalistic stringed instrument rhythms of four veiled male players.  Mamadou Kelly played guitar with the late Ali Farka Toure, and like him, Kelly’s  brand of fingerpicking axework seemingly evokes the blues, even if it’s  Malian grown. His vocals aren’t melismatic, but they convey a somber power. Imharhan, led by electric guitarist Mohamed Issa with members of Tartit, envelopes listeners with Tinariwen-like buzzing guitar that they meld with contemporary, personal lyrics about love, war and life as refugees.

 In preparation for my Washington City Paper preview, I interviewed via email Fadimata walet Oumar (aka Disco) of Tartit; Mamadou Kelly; and Mohamed Issa ag Oumar of Imharhan(he’s Fadimata’s brother).  Not speaking French or Tamashek, I relied on the tour manager to translate the questions and answers.

1. Where do the bandmembers live now?

Mamadou Kelly: I have returned to Goundam in the north of Mali with my family.  My band members live in Niafunke and Segou.  We stay time to time in Bamako when we have concerts there.

Fadimata Walet Oumar(of Tartit): The group Tartit lives in three countries at the moment: Burkina Faso, Mauritania, and Mali

2.  How does your songwriting process work?

Mamadou: My music is based on traditional song styles but I elaborate and change the lyric and song to suit the circumstances and the times. i then create arrangements with traditional and contemporary instrumentation.

Fadimata: Tartit sings traditional songs that we arrange for the group.  We also compose new material in traditional style with stories and messages that are give opinions, histories and comments on contemporary situations.

Mohamed Issa Ag Oumar: Imharhan uses a more contemporary method of composing lyrics and music.  Our lyrics are about love or nostalgia as well as about contemporary values, the current situation of the Tuareg and the wider issues of the world.  

3. Are their any women ngoni players or do women play imzad and tinde only?

Fadimata: In our group the women play the imzad and the tinde only.  

We do not know any women who play the ngoni [we call that instrument the tehardent in tamacheq]

4. (For Fadimata of Tartit): Tell me about the status of your United nations-recognized association dedicated to developing schools and jobs and preserving  Malian music and culture.

Fadimata: It is difficult for this foundation to operate and function right now.  The crisis in the north has brought much suffering and deprivation to the local people.

5.  What have you enjoyed seeing when traveling with the band; or do you just mainly stay at hotels and not have time to see things and meet people?

Fadimata: We travel alot for our concerts, in Europe, in Africa.  Now in the US.  We mainly stay in hotels resting from out performances and the travel but we enjoy meeting people and our family members and the Tuareg people who live around the world.  

6.  Are you working on new songs and do you have plans for a new album?

Mamadou Kelly: We are constantly working on new songs and listening to all kinds of music.  

Mohamed Issa: I have been composing songs along the route and think of musical ideas all the time.

Fadimata: Tartit spends alot of the time singing together and improvising.  We have a new album of live recordings about to be released.  And we are working on another. 

D.C. & Baltimore/DMV "World Music" & More Concerts July 2013

From my Yahoo group emailed calendar. New shows added feature an asterisk.

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Sorry this is late

Highlights:

Fri. 7-5-Mahmoud Ahmed at Echostage (Ethiopian)
Sat. 7-6-Jamaica Day Reggae Fest with Ken Boothe at Anne Ar. C. Fairground
Thurs. 7-11 –Lost Bayou ramblers at Bayou on PA. Ave. NW
Sat. 7-13-The Baltimore Washington One Carnival Parade in Baltimore
Sat. 7-27-Festival au Desert - Caravan for Peace with Tartit, Imharhan, Mamadou Kelly at Tropicalia (Mali)

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Mon 7-1

Alpha Blondy at Howard Theatre (African reggae)

Ethiopian singer Munit Mesfin and German guitarist Jӧrg Pfeil aka Munit & Jorg at Tropicalia

Dukem Restaurant on U Street is featuring Aregahegn Worash and Abeba Desalegn from Ethiopia guesting with locally based Ethiopian musicians on certain nights through Sunday the 7th. Their Facebook page has more details.

Jason Isbell at the Birchmere

Daryl Davis at Westminster Church
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Tues 7-2

Fendika, a traditional Ethiopian Azmari music and dance ensemble at 2 pm at Smithsonian Museum of African Arts (recommended)

Twenty Feet from Stardom (great movie doc about soulful background singers) at the Charles, E. Street, Angelika & West End through Thursday

Libaya Baba and James Lovell group performs a program of Garifuna music and dance, featuring call-and-response and a blend of traditional genres such as Paranda, Punta, and Wanaragua. For free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage ( Part of the Homegrown: The Music of America concert series and 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.) Recommended
Buddy Holly Story at Wolf Trap(and on Wed.)
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Wed 7-3

Smithsonian Folklife festival (Hungarian Heritage, One World, Many Voices, The Will to Adorn) through Sun. 7-7 Evening concerts and dances from 6 to 9 including a good one tonight with Garifuna/punta drumming and dance from Central America with Libaya Baba featuring James Lovell – 6 to 7:30 festival.si.edu

Mapuna Leo, Hawaiian musicians, kumu hula (hula masters), and academic colleagues celebrate the revitalization of Hawaiian culture and language for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage. Part of the 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Dink Nat Ethiopia at 10:30 at the Howard Theatre

Maracuyeah djs Mafe and Rat plus guest dj at Tropical Boom Part at U St. Music Hall with Boogat, Poirier, Alma Tropicalia, Empressarios, Fort Knox Five vs Thunderball & Jay Clue

M.A.K.U. Soundsystem at 7 outdoors at Strathmore

M.A.K.U. Soundsystem and Kickoman at Tropicalia

Rare Essence mixtape release party at Ibiza (go-go)

Afrika Bambaata at U St Music Hall

Janka Nabay at the Dunes, 1402 Meridian Place NW

Dukem Restaurant on U Street is featuring Aregahegn Worash and Abeba Desalegn from Ethiopia guesting with locally based Ethiopian musicians on certain nights through Sunday the 7th. Their Facebook page has more details.
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Thurs 7-4

Smithsonian Folklife festival (Hungarian Heritage, One World, Many Voices, The Will to Adorn) through Sun. 7-7 Evening concerts and dances from 6 to 9 (see the Garifuna and Colombia artists). No evening shows tonight

Bob Cohen with Szalonna and His Band (The klezmer musician blends Hungarian, Romanian, Moldavian, and Yiddish music) for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage. Part of the 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Motown Musical plus Barry Manilow, Candice Glover, country music artist Scotty McCreery and more at a Capitol Fourth on the West lawn

Jano Band (Ethiopian rock), 11 p.m., Howard Theatre

South African Dj party at Tropicalia
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Fri 7-5

Smithsonian Folklife festival (Hungarian Heritage, One World, Many Voices, The Will to Adorn) through Sun. 7-7 Evening concerts and dances from 6 to 9 (see the Garifuna and Colombia artists)

The Furious 5 featuring Grandmaster Mele Mel, Scorpio, The Kidd, Creole and Rahiem, 8 p.m, Howard Theatre. (classic rap)

Haile Roots with Chiggae Band and Kuku Sebsebe, 11:30 p.m., Howard Theatre.(Ethiopian reggae headliner with more trad yet modern Ethiopian opener)

Mahmoud Ahmed (King of Ethiopian music) with Teddy Afro (polished Ethio-reggae star) at Echostage

Ecuadorian Hatun Kotama Cultural Center (An ensemble from the cultural center performs a program of traditional flute music) for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage. Part of the 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Brazilian Girls at 930 Club

Moneytown dj party 5th Anniversary (soul and funk) at Little Miss Whiskey's
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Sat 7-6

Smithsonian Folklife festival (Hungarian Heritage, One World, Many Voices, The Will to Adorn) through Sun. 7-7 Evening concerts and dances from 6 to 9 (see the Garifuna and Colombia artists)

Noel Torres (Mexican singer and accordionist) at Diamond Lounge in Annandale

Save Jamaica Day Reggae Festival with Ken Boothe(old-school), Tifa (female dancehaller) , Edly Shine and many more at Anne Arundel County Fairground, Crownsville, MD at 12 noon

Baltimore African-American Heritage Festival 2013 with Patti Labelle, Fantasia, and Raheem Devaughn at M& T Bank Stadium parking lot

Vakirai ( Zimbabwean-American singer-songwriter) at Tropicalia

Indonesian Cultural night at Ossian Hall Park 7:30 to 8:30

Andrea Navratil (The singer performs different styles of folk tunes from the Carpathian Basin, accompanied by traditional musicians.) for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage Part of the 2013 Smithsonian Folklife Festival.

Trouble Funk 35th anniversary 8 pm at Howard Theatre.
Ethiopian Allstars at 11 pm at the Howard Theatre
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Sun 7-7

Smithsonian Folklife festival (Hungarian Heritage, One World, Many Voices, The Will to Adorn) through Sun. 7-7 Evening concerts and dances from 6 to 9 (see the Garifuna and Colombia artists)

Jerk Festival 2013 in Baltimore at Pimlico Race Track, Baltimore with Beenie Man, I Wayne, Devonte & Tanto Metro, Storm, Zulan, O'Brien, Entred, J Sskull, Droop Lion, Klevva Kid, Pluggy T, Alldurian Sun, K Vibes, All Day Affair

Culture of the Spirit Tour with Indialucia and more (Asian and flamenco) at Langley High, Mclean, VA

Dikki Du & The Zydeco Krewe at Cat's Eye Pub, Fells Point, Baltimore

Ciao Ciao at Howard Theatre (Closing event for end of Ethiopian Sports fest)
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Mon 7-8
Carla Morrison (Latin indie), 8 p.m., Howard Theatre.

Kobotown (nuevo Calypso) for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage

Garifuna Collective and Kobotown at 7 at Tropicalia (garifuna/punto music and calypso from Kobotown)

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Tues 7-9
Luciano (reggae), 8 p.m., Howard Theatre.

Culture of the Spirit Tour with Indialucia and more (Asian and flamenco) at 6:30 at American U. Greenberg Theatre

Los Lobos with Los Lonely Boys at Wolftrap Filene Center
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Wed 7-10
DC Loves Dilla Tribute Concert featuring De La Soul and Black Thought (The Roots), 8 p.m., Howard Theatre (old-school rap)

Orioles and the Jewels (old-school DC r'n'b) at 6:30 to 8:30 at Tucker Road Athletic Complex, 1771 Tucker Road, Fort Washington, MD

Mac Miller at the Fillmore

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Thurs 7-11

La Vela Puerca at State Theatre in Falls Church

Lost Bayou Ramblers (great rockin Cajun band) at Bayou in DC

Harmonia (Ohio based gypsy music) for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage

Delta Frat presents 100 Shades of Red in DC – Centennial Happy Hour & After Party Featuring Black Alley, Dougie E. Fresh, & DJ Biz Markie (r'n'b & rap) at Howard Theatre

Souls of Mischief (rap) at Rn R Hotel
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Fri 7-12
The Baltimore Washington One Carnival at Lake Clifton Park, Baltimore Maryland

Maelo Ruiz (bachata) at the Palace in Woodbridge

Persuasions at the Howard Theatre

Specials at the Fillmore (ska)

Hiphop Theatre Fest (through Saturday) at Dance Place

*Bosnian Rainbows (w/ Omar from Mars Volta) early show at U. St. Music Hall

* Flavor N'Abnia (Nigeria) live at Rio Lounge, Baltimore Avenue(Route 1) in Laurel, Maryland

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Sat. 7-13

The Baltimore Washington One Carnival festival 12 noon to 10 pm at Lake Clifton Park, Baltimore Maryland with parade starting at 1 pm at 900 E 33rd Street & Alameda, Baltimore

Julio Voltio for free at Copacabana (reggaeton)

* Banda El Recodo and Banda Los Recoditos at Mexico Lindo, Bladensburg, MD

Beto Jamaica, The Colombian musician blends several kinds of music, including vallenato, cumbia, paseo, porro, and more for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage

Samba Travao performance at Tropicalia

Peru Rocks Festival feat. Miki Gonzalez & Bareto at The State Theatre in Falls Church

16th Annual Common Ground on the Hill Festival
@Carroll County Farm Museum, 500 Center St, Westminster, MD
Buckwheat Zydeco, CJ Chenier, Little Queenie
Plus many roots & blues musicians

Sandra Lilia Velasquez (of Pistolera) for free at Artisphere Dome Theatre

Bulgarian Cultural Heritage night at Ossian Hall Park 7:30 to 8:30

*Red Baraat at Rams Head Live in Baltimore (South Asian American bhangra funk)
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Sun 7-14
The Baltimore Washington One Carnival Festival 12 to 9 pm at Lake Clifton Park, Baltimore Maryland

Rusty Metoyer & the Zydeco Krush @Glen Echo Bumper Car Pavilion, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, MD Dance Lesson: 3:00pm Music: 3:30pm-6:00pm (young Lake Charles, LA band)

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Mon 7-15

Iguanas at Jammin Java

Jill Scott and Raheem DeVaughn at Wolf Trap

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Tues 7-16
Fanfare Ciocarlia, The Romanian brass orchestra performs its unique blend of Gypsy music and Balkan funk. for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage

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Wed 7-17

Iguanas at Rams Head Annapolis

Okay Africa Azonto party at Tropicalia with DJ's Underdog, Native Sun and Kweks (Ghana) will grace the stage for Azonto Fiesta! kwaito, hiplife, kuduro, South African house, zouk, soukous, coupe decale and, of course Azonto

Lil Wayne, T.I., and Future - 1st Mariner Arena (Baltimore) (rap)

Leon Russell at the Hamilton
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Thurs 7-18
POStPONED--Kassav (Francophone Zouk band), 9 p.m., Howard Theatre

Huecco at the Bier Barron, 1523 22nd St NW

Maracuyeah presents: Chillin con DJ Ethos (Subsuelo/LA) at Tropicalia in Washington,
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Fri 7-19

Locos Por Juana at Artisphere (Miami Latin-reggae-hip-hop cumbia mash-up )

ArcAngel (reggaeton) at the Palace

Artscape with Kem, Bridget Kelly, the Wailers at Mount Royal Avenue, Cathedral & Charles Streets, Baltimore

Joe Keys & the Late Bloomer Band (funk and jazz and and jazz poetry) at Tropicalia

Bachata VIP at Royal Lake Park

*24 Horas at Euphoria Nightclub in Baltimore

*Ettiene Charles at Bohemian Caverns (Caribbean jazz) (also on the 20th)
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Sat 7-20

Ozomatli for free (time tba) at National Museum of the American Indian

"Te Amo Peru" (multi-artist show) at Marco Polo, 245 Maple Ave W
Vienna, VA

*Ultimate doo-wop show at Wolf Trap (numerous artists)

Fantasia (r'n'b) at Warner Theatre

Cannibal Ox (rap) at Ottobar

Joyfest 2013 (gospel) with Kirk Franklin, Israel Houghton & New Breed at Kings Dominion in Virginia

Blake Shelton (country) at Jiffy Lube Live

Russian Cultural Heritage night at Ossian Hall Park 7:30 to 8:30

Oldtime Banjo fest at the Birchmere

* Charles Bradley: Soul of America movie at AFI (old-school style soul singer doc)

*DC zinefest at St. Stephen's Church

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Sun 7-21

Festival Chirilagua with Viajero, Jayro, Rigu, Charlie Cruz, J King & Maximan, and Elvis Crespo (meringue) at 11 a.m. at the Cora Reed Recreation Ctr., 25 West Reed Ave
Alexandria, VA

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Mon 7-22

Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials at the Rams Head Annapolis

*Bombino (from Niger) opening for Robert Plant at Wolf Trap

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Tues 7-23

Krar Collective The Ethiopian ensemble performs hypnotic dance music centered on the traditional krar (stringed harp). for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage

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Wed 7-24

Carlos Vives at the Patriot Center

Troublefunk for free at Strathmore Gazebo

Casuarina ( Rio de Janeiro`s samba and choro) for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage

Dr. John At the Birchmere
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Thurs 7-25

*Guillermo Anderson (Afro-caribbean parranda and punta from Honduras) for free at 6:30 at Enrique V. Iglesias Auditorium, Inter-American Development Bank, 1330 New York Avenue NW, Washington, DC, one block from Metro Center, 13th Street exit.

Seu Jorge at the Birchmere (Brazil)
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Fri 7-26

Rey Ruiz at the Palace (Cuban salsa singer)

Don Omar (reggaeton) at CocoCabana

Mary Mary at the Howard

The Winstons (old-school r'n'b) at Montpelier Mansion in Laurel

Enanito Verdes (Argentine rock) and Tic Tac at the Fillmore
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Sat 7-27

National Dance Day at Kennedy Center for free with performances by Dizzy Feet Foundation, Culture Shock, Manzari Brothers, and others, plus interactive dances, dance lessons, and the resurrection of "Dancing Under the Stars," with Arturo O'Farrill's Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra for a sultry summer salsa dance party.

Hildemaro celebrando la Independencia del Peru at 9:00pm at Ceviche House
117 N. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, MD

Guyana Cultural Fest at 11 a.m. at Brandywine Lions Club Park, Brandywine, MD

Loretta Lynn at 930 Club

Festival au Desert - Caravan for Peace with Tartit, Imharhan, Mamadou Kelly at Tropicalia 7PM-10:30PM

Bolivian Cultural Heritage Night at Ossian Hall Park at 7:30

*Los Inquietos del Norte at Mexico Lindo, Bladensburg, MD
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Sun 7-28

Winstons (old-school r'n'b) at 6 at Allen Pond Park, Bowie

Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley, Kix Brooks, and Raelynn at Jiffy Lube Live (country)

**Los Inquietos del Norte at Prince William County fairgrounds, Manassas
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Mon 7-29

Charlie Sayles & the Blues Disciples at Westminster Church

Beyonce (sold-out)(7-30 too)
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Tues 7-30

Africa Umoja at Warner Theatre (South African musical)
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Wed. 7-31

Alisdair Roberts (Scottish folk singer) for free from 6 to 7 at Kennedy Ctr. Millennium Stage

Con Funk Shun at the Howard Theatre

* DC based Allstar Jam Session for Mali with Cheick Hamala Diabate;
Michael Shereikis (Chopteeth); Massama Dogo (Elikeh); Will Rast (Funk Ark);
Elin Kathleen Melgarejo (Alma Tropicalia); John Lee- ;The Sol Power All-Stars;
Nila Kay; And many more. Door- 8pm, Show 9pm  $10 at Liv Nightclub
2001 11st, NW
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Other cool stuff (mostly indie-rock): Les Rhinoceros;Coetillion; Aaron Leitko @ Black cat; 7-5-Mantles at Comet; Harry Connick @ Wolf Trap;7-6 Mantles @ Club K in Balt.; 7-8- Evens at Fort reno; 7-10-Vans Warped tour at M. P. Pav;7-11- The Sweet @ Rams Head T.; She & Him @ Wolf Trap 7-12-NRBQ @ the Hamilton; Paul McCartney @ Nationals Park; Belle & Sebastian/Yo La Tengo @M. Post Pavilion; 7-14-Wire @ Black Cat; 7-20-Kurt Vile/Swirlies @930 Club; Beach Boys @ Pier 6; 7-22-Gems @ Black Cat; 7-23-Dylan;Wilco; My Morning Jacket @ M. Post Pavilion;7-25-Parquet Courts @ Ottobar; 7-30-Paul Weller@930; Ted Leo @ Ottobar