Tani Diakite & the Afrofunkstars

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Christoper Hoppe

Tani Diakite (second from left) and various Afrofunkstars.

media release: Tani Diakite, and the Afrofunkstars bring you great west African beats and sounds to put you in the right TGIF mood! Last Friday of each month.

Tani plays the Kamale N'goni, which is an instrument that originates from Wasulu, a region on the border of Mali and Guinea, West Africa. It is derived from the larger Donso N'goni, which means "hunter's harp". Throughout the centuries, Malian hunters were also skilled musicians who used their trance-like music to appease the spirits of the animals they hunted, so as not to be plagued by evil spirits.

The Kamale N'goni is a smaller, more popular version of this instrument. It is the centerpiece of a popular style of music from Mali called Wasulu Music. When you hear the blues played by Tani Diakite and the Afrofunkstars, you'll understand why it is often said that Mali is the birthplace of the blues. The Kamale N'goni is one of several African instruments that preceded the banjo, so you'll hear similarities to bluegrass music as well.

Another driving force of Wasulu music is percussion. The Afrofunkstars are backed up by one of the hottest rhythm sections around, featuring Paddy Cassidy on jembe, Hugo Reynolds on drumset, and Mamoudou Diallo and Djam Vivie on percussion. The funk is rounded out by bass powerhouse Nickolas Moran, Peter Baggenstoss on keyboards, and Matt Manske on guitar. The interplay between Kamale N'goni and jembe grooves so hard that audiences can't stay still - the urge to get up and move is too powerful!

Bring your dance shoes and keep your masks on! Tickets $15 adv., $20 at the door.