Kora Master Mansa Sissoko at the Gladstone Hotel Toronto June 3

From a media release:

Batuki Music Society & the Gladstone Hotel present
Mansa Sissoko & Kassoum Diamoutene
Friday June 3, 2011 in Toronto


Batuki Music Society and the Gladstone Hotel present Malian kora virtuoso and griot Mansa Sissoko, accompanied by bala player Kassoum Diamoutene on Friday June 3, 2011 at the Melody Bar, the next in the World Concert Series that takes place on the first Friday of every month from 7 to 10 pm.

All concerts are free; they feature a diverse lineup of performers with a strong focus on African music. Guest DJ Apollo will spin from his extensive collection of African popular and classic hits. Guest appearance by Zimbabwean mbira players, Mutamba Rainos & Pasi Gunguwo.

The art and culture of Mali is so diverse, and some of its music has played a large role in the introduction of African music into the large and expanding genre of world music. Mansa Sissoko is one of the new generation of singer-songwriters from Mali, West Africa whose music revolves around the kora, a 21-stringed harp.

Sissoko will be joined onstage by bala player Kassoum Diamoutene. Diamoutene was born in a village tucked in the south of Mali, where the most popular and pre-dominant traditional musical instrument is the bala (xylophone). Diamoutene has played the bala from the age of five. He also learned to play other traditional instruments such as the bara and ngoni.

Mutamba Rainos and Pasi Gunguwo are mbira players from Zimbabwe who draw inspiration from Zezuru music. Mutamba and Pasi have been playing music on the streets, community gatherings, parks, farmers markets around the city of Toronto and surrounding areas.

Mansa Sissoko and Kassoum Diamoutene, Guests Mutamba and Pasi, DJ Apollo
Friday June 3, 2011
Melody Bar, Gladstone Hotel, 1214 Queen St. West, Toronto
7 to 10 pm.
Admission: Free (all ages)


info@batukimusic.com / www.batukimusic.com / www.gladstonehotel.com

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