David Dalle
Thursday February 27th, 2025 with David Dalle
Black History Month: All-Mali with Samba Touré's new album and performing LIVE IN STUDIO!!

Tonight Malian guitarist and singer Samba Touré is playing a sold out show at the NAC Fourth Stage! I am also extremely honoured and pleased to announce Samba Touré will be dropping by the CKCU studios and performing a few songs on-air! He is currently touring Canada with a trio including Djimé Sissoko on ngoni and tamani, Souleymane Kane on calabash and djembe , and, of course, Samba Touré on guitar and vocals. They have played sold out shows in Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, and now in Ottawa! Samba Touré is Songhaï from the town of Diré, about 100km northeast from Niafunké in the Tombouctou region of Mali. He moved to Bamako as a young man and started the band Farafina Lolo in the early 90's. Ali Farka Touré took notice of him, and encouraged him to play guitar. By the late 90's his band had broken up, and Ali Farka Touré recruited him to play guitar and backup vocals on his international tours. He released his debut album "Songhaï Blues" in 2009 and has continued and expanded on Ali Farka Touré's legacy. He released his latest album "Baarakelaw" ("The Workers") in late 2024, with songs written about and dedicated to the many hard working people who work demanding jobs in the bustling capital of Bamako. It was recorded with the trio he is touring with as well as an additional bass player at home in Bamako. Samba Touré, Afel Bocoum, as well as Ali Farka's son, Vieux Farka Touré ensure that Ali Farka's incredible legacy lives on through their own individual takes. I hope you all have tickets to see him tonight! We will hear from his new album and LIVE in studio as well as a lot of other Malian music on today's program!