Toubab Krewe and Kokanko Sata play Tryon Fine Arts Center, April 29

From a press release:

Toubab Krewe and Kokanko Sata play Tryon Fine Arts Center, April 29

Tryon Fine Arts Center presents Toubab Krewe with special guest Kokanko Sata on Tuesday, April 29th at 7 PM.  The union will celebrate the West African rhythms and instruments which had definitive impact on the development of American blues and jazz.  “Prepare to enter other strata of rhythm experience,” says Executive Director, Beth Child.  “We can safely say, there’s not been a program with this distinctive power and impact presented on the Tryon Fine Arts Center stage in recent memory.”

Kokanko, the “Malian Songbird” was raised in West Africa as an accompanist musician – playing gourd drums and percussive scrapers for other musicians. Though coming from a powerful lineage – her father is an honored blacksmith, and her mother a jeli (hereditary songsmith) – Kokanko knew no Malian man would teach her more—specifically, how to play the “boy’s harp” – the kamelen ngoni. So she built her own, and taught herself how to play. First learning the traditional songs of her village, praising particular hunters and Allah, Kokanko quickly developed her own style—at once tender and unflinching. These songs are of the strength of women, relationships between the sexes, and the importance of tolerance and understanding.

In her nation Kokanko is called a “Bird of Wasulu” – a songbird from the ancient Malian hunters’ culture.  In the Malian tradition, her job is to offer guidance through music and sing for the well-being of the community. In the words of Toumani Diabate’s producer Lucy Duran, Kokanko’s work makes public “the voice of hidden women’s discourse.”

Toubab Krewe, an innovative and original instrumental Asheville group that relentlessly tours throughout the world playing clubs and festivals, has through their touring developed a style that pulls together rock, African traditions, jam sensibilities, international folk strains and more.    Blurt magazine says, “Toubab Krewe has such a visceral, ear-yanking quality that in the band’s capable hands you just might find your definitions of what is/is not rock n’ roll and worldbeat being completely rewritten.  This is the sound of liberation.”

Tryon Fine Arts Center, located on Melrose Avenue in the town of Tryon, has been a center for participation in the visual and performing arts for 45 years attracting a diverse range of audiences.  CooperRiis is the event sponsor.  Please note the 7:00 PM starting time.  Tickets for this event are on sale online at www.tryonarts.org or by calling 828-859-8322.