The Jazz museum in Harlem
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Jazz for Curious Listeners
New Artists You Should Know About: Abdoulaye Alhassane Toure
July 22, 2008
Instructor: Loren Schoenberg
Abdoulaye Alhassane is a brilliant multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and producer from Niger and Mali. His principle instrument is guitar, and he sings and plays Molo, Gurmi and a number of other Central Saharan string instruments. He was musical director, composer and lead guitarist for the wonderful Niger roots band, Mamar Kassey, that toured internationally to rave reviews. Mr. Alhassane also launched the careers of Moussa Poussy and many other singers from Niger, for whom he composed and arranged all of the music. Of the same tradition as his mentor, Ali Farka Toure, Alhassane is a master of the music of many Saharan cultures and languages: Songhai, Sonrai, Tamaschek, Peul, Toureg, Zerma, Hausa and others. His original music is rich in complex rhythms, beautiful blue modes, and full of joyous enthusiasm.
Expect to witness and hear the intersection of the blues, jazz and African music by this exciting
musician that you should know about.