Béla Fleck's African Project featuring Oumou Sangaré

Another huge treat for Bluesfest fans, as Béla Fleck will be joined by the inspirational African singer Oumou Sangarè and her band from Mali! New York City native Béla Fleck is regularly considered the premier banjo player in the world. He made a name for himself on countless solo and ensemble projects as a virtuoso instrumentalist unbounded by genre. The man has won eleven Grammy awards and has received 25 nominations in more diverse categories than any other musician in history. His latest album, Throw Down Your Heart is a companion to the award-winning documentary of the same name, which premiered in 2009. Motivated by a deep love of African music, the film follows Béla on a boundary-breaking musical adventure to explore the little-known African roots of the banjo and record an album. Transcending barriers of language and culture, Fleck finds common ground with musicians ranging from local villagers to international superstars such as the Malian diva Oumou Sangarè to create some of the most meaningful music of his career. Here at Bluesfest you will get the rare opportunity to see this documentary come to life as Béla Fleck is joined by Oumou Sangarè - one of the greatest African singers you will ever hear. She is recognised as the greatest female African star of her generation, in fact Oumou Sangarè has enjoyed a long and illustrious career, touring internationally and becoming an ambassador for the music of Mali. On stage her natural presence, huge charisma, irrepressible energy and joie de vivre is very much in evidence. Oumou's latest album Seya (Joy) was released in 2009. Yet another "must-see" at Bluesfest 2010!
 

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