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Music of Saharan Africa: Tinariwen plays the San Francisco Jazz Festival
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It seems like music is literally bursting out of Mali onto American soil these days with Rokia Traore, Habib Koite and now Tinariwen. The music is all inspiring, but Tinariwen is also politically and historically important. This year, the San Francisco Jazz Festival (SFJAZZ) brings the Bay Area a wide range of music, including the Saharan blues of Tinariwen.
Having formed over two decades ago, Tinariwen represents the Touareg, a nomadic people of the Sahara, and their struggle for freedom from the Malian government. These Ancient melodies are fused with modern blues, rock'n'roll, Berber and Arabic genres. This music is born out of war, ethnic cleansing and exile of post-colonial Africa. After the political lyrics were banned by Mali and Algeria, Tinariwen was forced to play underground until moving to the Malian capitol Bamako in the late 90s. There the ten members of the band became musical revolutionaries, playing music called Tishoumaren, "music of the unemployed" or simply "guitar."
I guarantee this music, despite its serious roots, will bring the audience to their dancing feet.
Tinariwen's latest album Aman Iman: Water is Life is out now.
This is a video that was made for Tinariwen's last appearance at the Palace of Fine Arts for SFJAZZ in 2007.
Thursday, April 16, 8pm, Palace of Fine Arts Theater 3301 Lyon (at Bay) tickets are $20, $30, $40 and Premium $60.
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