Africa rocks the Bonnaroo Festival in Tennessee

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | June 15, 2009 | Leave a Comment

The Bonnaroo Festival has traditionally hosted jazz, blues, and comedy, but this year, the focus turned to Africa. With an impressive roster of world-renowned artists, they dedicated one tent solely to the performance of African artists.

The list of artists included, Vieux Farka Toure, Bela Fleck and Toumani Diabate, Toubab Krewe, King Sunny Ade and the African Beats, and Amadou and Mariam. The headliner was none other than Femi Kuti, son of the legendery Fela Kuti. » Read more…

Tags: , Amadou and Mariam, Bela Fleck and Toumani Diabate, bonnaroo music festival, Fela Kuti, Femi Kuti, King Sunny Adé and the African Beats, Toubab Krewe, Vieux Farka Toure

Africa Comes to Tennessee

Written by Shirlene Alusa-Brown | June 3, 2009 | Leave a Comment

The Boonaroo Music and Arts Festival is usually dedicated to jazz and comedy, but they are going to be adding a new dimension this year–African music. For the first time in their history, they are going to be offering African music for one day in The Other Tent.

They pulled in some heavyweights to perform and tickets are selling fast! Among the artists slated to perform are Femi Kuti and the Positive Force (Nigeria), Bela Fleck and Toumani Diabate (US and Mali), Amadou and Mariam (Mali), King Sunny Adé and the African Beats (Nigeria), and Vieux Farka Touré (Mali). Toubab Krewe, an American band that mixes American Rock with West African beats, will also join this phenomenal list of players. » Read more…

Tags: , Amadou and Mariam, and Vieux Farka Touré, Bela Fleck and Toumani Diabate (US and Mali), Boonaroo Music and Arts Festival, Femi Kuti and the Positive Force, King Sunny Adé and the African Beats, Toubab Krewe