Welcome
This year the Afro Project team from Würzburg is once again looking forward to present a programme full of small and big highlights at the festival. Last year the focus was on Cuba, this year the Africa Festival thematically returns to the African continent; via the Cape Verde Islands and Senegal. At the time of the slave trade with America and the Caribbeans, the Cape Verde Islands served as an intermediate stop for the slaves from West Africa. While the Islands were under Portuguese administration, some of them stayed there forever. Thus today, the ancestors of the slaves have influenced the music and culture of the Islands. Sara Tavares, Tibau Tavares and Elida Almeida will give you the opportunity to discover the music of the Cape Verde Islands. Offshore of Senegal is the island Gor’ee with its slave fort. Here, the West African slaves had the last chance to take a look at their home continent. Senegal features a long history of music, which has grown steadily. Youssou N’Dour is the worldwide known embassador whose tama player Assana Thiam and ensemble will open the festival. Rising star Wally Seck, as well as Faada Freddy, Marema, Awa Ly, Moussa, Takeifa and other high-quality musicians will show their talent and reflect the variety of their country. We stay in West Africa and travel with Eneida Marta to Guinea-Bissau and Fafa Ruffino to Benin. Afterwards, in Mali, we can look forward to see the Festival award winners Salif Keita and Fatoumata Diawara again and meet spectacular newcomer Inna Modja. The young festival veterans Mellow Mark, Dellé and Jahcoustix will prove that even in Germany Africa can be very close.
A visit to the photo exhibition of Youri Lenquette could be a great way to start the festival. He has visited Senegal multiple times and captured the zest for life there. At the festival ground, the big bazaar with African art treasures and culinary delicacies, as well as info booths in the bamboo hall, the Havana Club and the inviting relaxation area where you can enjoy Moroccan teas awaits the visitors.
TV channel ARTE is again the media partner of the Africa Festival. The ARTE movie tent gives the viewers insights into the life in Senegal. In two special movies (“Mali Blues”, “Sarabah”) you can see musicians who will also perform on our concert stages this year. In the daytime, you can laugh with storyteller Ibu or marvel at the artististry of Adesa, in the evening you can dance to reggae music in the new multitent. You mustn’t miss the fashion shows of designer Rama Diaw with her charming models, which takes place daily starting Friday. Have fun experiencing the rich culture of West Africa!
Your Afro Project Team
Evening Programme
Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday
Thursday, May 25th 2017
FAADA FREDDY
A-CAPPELLA VOCALS AND BODY-PERCUSSIONS
In 2001, the ‘Africa Festival Award’, which was presented for the first time that year, went to the young and congenial Hip Hop formation ‘Daara J’ from Senegal. It was not just Lord Aladji Man, N`Dongo D and Faada Freddy who played their way into the hearts of the Africa Festival audience with their performances on the open stage, the special guest, Patrice, in the main tent and on the dance floor in the AKW, did, too. Now, 16 years later, ‘Daara J’ has changed, the musicians have become more mature and follow their own solo projects. In his chosen home of Paris, Faada Freddy, alias Abdoul Fatah Seck, has embarked on a ‘Gospel Journey’. His instrument: his extraordinary voice. You can look forward with great excitement to an unforgettable A-Cappella concert with lots of soul, jazz and R & B, presented on a body-percussion-carpet.
Photo: © Barron Claiborne
WALLY SECK
SENEGALS NEW SUPERSTAR
Wally Ballago Seck, who comes from a Griot family, actually wanted to be a professional footballer in Europe. However, fortunately for the Senegalese music scene, it did not happen. With the help of his well-known father, Thione Seck, he was able to find his feet in Dakar with his band, ‘Raam Daan’, and start-out on his career as a (later-starting) musician. His current album, ‘Xel’ (Spirit), has now made musical history in Senegal – in fact, it is the most purchased album in the whole of Senegal. The singer, composer, author, and also an actor, was chosen as the ‘Man of the Year 2014’ by the ‘Observatory of Music and Arts’ organisation (OMART), and he, and his big band, are going to be performing at the International Africa Festival in Germany for the first time.
friday, May 26th, 2017
SARA TAVARES
THE CAPEVERDIAN ISLANDS FINEST VOICE
‘Mana Sara’, as she is affectionately called by her friends, has been seen as one of the discoveries of the festival since her first appearance at the 13th Africa Festival in 2001. Born and raised in Lisbon, she had to find her way in the streets of the city early on without her Cape Verdean parents. The music helped her find her way. At the age of 15, she won her first music awards and, at the latest with her album, ‘Mi Ma Bo’, produced with the help of Lokua Kanza, also made her international breakthrough. With her distinctive voice, she has become one of the icons of the new generation of African-born people in urban Portugal. After seven years of creative rest, she is now on tour with her latest work, ‘Coisas Bunitas’, and you can now have the pleasure of seeing her perform again.
SALIF KEITA
THE LEGEND FROM MALI
The pioneer of world music will be seen on the stage of the Africa Festival for the sixth time. Born in 1949, in the small village of Djoliba in Mali, this exceptional artist can trace his family back to the founder of the Mali Empire, Soundiata Keita, in the 13th century. However, as an albino, he was only accepted by his own family after his artistic successes. He is committed to the Albinos of Africa cause and has been rightly honoured with the coveted ‘Africa Festival Award’. “The music is like a tree. The roots are African, the trunk is jazz, and all the branches, twigs and fruits are the different stylistic directions”, he explained. Salif Keita himself has now climbed all the heights of this music tree and will enrapture the audience once again with his current musical treasure.
Photo: © Bugs Steffen
Saturday, May 27th 2017
ENEIDA MARTA
THE GREAT VOICE FROM GUINEA-BISSAU
Life, love and a homage to strong women – these are the subjects of the songs of UNICEF-Ambassador, Eneida Marta. She composes herself, but is also inspired by the great male artists of her country, such as Ernesto Dabo or Zé Manel. She creates gentle Kora sounds, jazzy piano chords and sparkling guitar riffs, which are lightly combined with the rhythms of her country, and enhances these sounds with her extraordinary voice in Portuguese or Guinea-Bissau Creole. Indeed the greatest compliment was paid to her by Lokua Kanza who said “I’ve never been to Guinea-Bissau, but when I hear Eneida Marta’s voice, I understand the country straight away!” The audience is sure to be convinced of this when they hear her at her German premiere at the International Africa Festival.
Photo: © Eneida Marta
FATOUMATA DIAWARA
MALI BLUES AND POET VOICES
Fatoumata Diawara is one of the most passionate spokeswomen and ambassadors for justice, peace, freedom and women’s rights, far beyond the borders of her native Mali, and this not just since her successful debut album, ‘Fatou’ (2011). However, first of all, she made a name for herself as a sought-after theatre and film actress, such as in ‘La Genèse’ directed by Cheick Oumar Sissoko. Honoured with the Africa Festival Award 2013, she is now to be seen as the main actress in the film, ‘Mali Blues’, which can also be seen on the festival grounds (ARTE-Kinozelt). For this evening, she has brought the other film protagonists, the Tuareg musician, Ahmed Ag Kaedy, as well as the rapper, Master Sumi, who will once again take us to the expanses of Mali with her music.
Sunday, May 28th, 2017
MAREMA
FINEST GROOVES FROM SENEGAL
Marema Fall, the power-woman from Senegal, delighted the audience on the open stage at the 27th Africa Festival. She has won several awards and, after receiving the RFI Award 2014 in the category ‘Best female artist of Africa’, has been seen as a ‘shooting star’ in her native West African native country. She learned her musical craft at the music school of the ‘Douta Seck’ cultural centre. Her mentor, Edu Bocande, encouraged her to not only work traditionally, but also to experiment with other styles, such as rock, pop or jazz. Under the production management of Alpha Blondy’s guitarist and arranger, Mao Otayeck, she made her breakthrough with her singles, ‘Femme d’affaires’ and ‘My Friend’. Now there is her great performance in the main tent to enjoy!
DELLÉ
HOT REGGAE VIBES WITH GERMAN-GHANAIAN ROOTS
Born in Berlin, Frank Allessa Dellé, the son of a Ghanaian doctor and a German nurse, spent several of his school years in Tamale in northern Ghana. Experiencing a variety of life situations and his first work with the ‘Positive Vibrations’ Reggae formation, he has (as a trained film sound engineer) now landed again in Berlin and, as their front man and a co-creator of their sound, has joined the band, ‘Seeed’. The multi-talented Dellé, whose qualities are also popular with German film productions, has always followed his own song ideas over the years. With his current album, ‘Neo’, he has now hit the big time and this has catapulted him into the highest category of a German Reggae musician. So, to end the festival, it is time to rock out again!
Day Programme| Open stage
Thursday | Friday | Saturday| Sunday
Thursday, May 25th 2017 | Open stage
ASSANE THIAM & TAMA BAND DAKAR
TALKING DRUM POWER AND DANCE FROM SENEGAL
Most people will remember Assane Thian as the tama player from Youssou N’Dour’s Band “Super Etoile de Dakar”. In 1975 he founded “Etoile de Dakar” with Babacar Faye and mastered the art of talking drums so perfectly that he influenced the development of mbalax music essentially, and is respectfully called the Jimi Hendrix of tama play. In Senegal he formed a complete tama orchestra. This year, he will celebrate his German premiere at the Africa Festival with the Tama Band Dakar. SHORT-TERM CHANGED
TAKEIFA
URBAN AFRO SOUNDS FROM SENEGAL
Whether it is Afro-pop, soul, funk, zouk or rock – the five Keita siblings Jac, Cheikh, Ibrahima, Fallou and Maah have been creating a new urban sound on the streets of Dakar for some years. They represent a new, young generation in Senegal which is exploring new paths without forgetting the roots. Stylistic variety and socially motivated song lyrics are equally important for their music. “One Band, one Family, one Voice!” – this family feeling will also appeal to the audience of the open stage.
Friday, May 26th 2017 | Open stage
TIBAU TAVARES FEAT. PUPKULIES & REBECCA
WORLD MUSIC AND FUSION SOUNDS FROM THE CAPE VERDE
When the electronic duo Rebecca and Janosch Blaul from Würzburg moved to Berlin, they found a like-minded ally in Sepp Singwald. Their house and pop music, which is full of electronic beats, was perfect for a blend with the matching world music of the Cape Verde Islands. On the island of Maio they met Tibau Tavares and the album “Tibau”, as well as the documentary “Momento”, were successfully released in 2013. After having already performed at the 26th Africa Festival in 2014, they will once again invite us to come along on their special island journey.
ELIDA ALMEIDA
YOUNG VOICE FROM THE CAPVERDIAN ISLAND SANTIAGO
Elida Almeida, like Jenifer Solidade and Ceuzany, is counted among the new, young generation of fantastic voices from the Cape Verde Islands. The songwriter was born in Pedra Badejo/Santa Cruz on Santiago. Her childhood was far from easy. yet she still managed to keep her positive attitude and processed her experiences from these years on her first album “Ora Doci Ora Margos” (Sweet times bitter times) in a poetic way. This world music discovery will mesmerize us with her fabulous Santiago beats from Batuku, Morna and Funaná.
FAFA RUFFINO
THE BRIGHT VOICE FROM BENIN
The voice of Ahouefa “Fafa” Ruffino is reminiscent of the young Angeliqué Kidjo. She was also born in West African Benin and gained her first musical experience in the jazz clubs of her hometown Cotonou. After having starred as an actor in various TV shows (e.g. “Bisso Na Bisso”), Fafa decided to dedicate herself to her career as a singer at her new home in Paris. In 2011 her first album “Ilé” was released. Recently she collaborated with Lokua Kanza and his family and will introduce her new album “Satila” at the Africa Festival.
Photo: © Emmanuel Blès
Saturday, May 27th, 2017 | Open stage
MOUSSA NDIAYE
PERCUSSION FIRE FROM SENEGAL
Moussa Ndiaye has been introduced to the art of drum playing at the young age of five. Thus he is perfect at playing the furry Sabar drum of the Wolof, as well as the talking drum or djembé. Internationally known musicians like Thione Seck appreciate his skills and invite him to tour with them. With his own band “N´Guewel Begg Fallou Family“, which consists of several sabar players and two dancers, he will light up a true percussion firework on the open stage.
Photo: © Bugs Steffen
AWA LY
AFRICAN SOUL WITH SENEGALESE
ROOTS
Being born to Senegalese parents in Paris, multi-faceted exceptional artist Awa Ly is living in Italy today. There she started her acting career and was already seen in various movies like “Black and White” (2008). With her other passion singing she embarked on a personal journey and constantly explores new areas. Whether it is R&B or soul, e.g. in the duet “Here” with Faada Freddy of Daara J, she never forgets her Dakar roots.
MELLOW MARK FEAT. CROSBY BOLANI
GERMAN HIP-HOP RAP & REGGAE VIBES WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
Mark Schlumberger aka Mellow Mark was born in Reutlingen and is known as a recurring guest of the Africa Festival. During his last performance at the festival in 2010, he introduced his Morocco project. This time, his stops on the African continent were Senegal and South Africa. Thus he created the song “Elefanten” (“Elephants”) with the famous singer, producer and dancehall MC Crosby Bolani from Capetown in his township Gugulethu. His new album is aptly called “Nomade” and he will perform it with the House of Riddim band and other special guests.
Sunday, May 28th 2017 | Open stage
SISTER FA
HIP-HOP RAP & SOUL POWER QUEEN FROM SENEGAL
Sister Fa, alias Fatou Mandiang Diatta, is a relentless ball of energy. Having been a victim herself, she is an activist against female genital cutting in Africa and also works for other NGOs. In her songs she addresses this predicament, as well as subjects like forced marriage and other iniquities women have to face. She has been honoured for her music (‘Senegalese HipHop Award for Best Newcomer 2005’) and dedication (‘Freedom To Create Award 2011’) several times and can also be seen starring in the documentaries “Sarabah“ and “Fonko“.
INNA MODJA
THE VOICE OF THE AFRICAN WOMEN
When she was still a little girl, Inna Bocoum was already stubborn. Therefore her mother gave her the nickname “Modja“ which roughly means “Inna is stubborn“. Later in life, as a model and singer, she also went her own way on which she was encouraged by her mentor Salif Keita. Hip-hop, soul, rap, pop and jazz seasoned with a strong pinch of Mali roots characterize her new album “Hotel Bamako“. A strong singer who commits herself to fighting for the rights of the women in her homecountry Mali.
JAHCOUSTIX
POSITIVE REGGAE VIBES
Whether he perfoms as a solo artist, with “Dubious Neighbourhood”, the “Outsideplayers” or his “Yard Vibes Crew”, Dominik Haas, alias Jahcoustix, is considered to be one of the best live artists of the German Reggae scene. Since he has been kissed by Reggae during his time as a nomad and diplomat’s son in Kenia, high-quality music has always been his trademark. After his impressive performance on the open stage last year, he will be doing a hat trick at the Africa Festival this year. The audience can expect phat, positive vibes with special guest performances.