Kulu Mele: From Mali to America
by NEWS
Kulu Mele African Dance & Drum Ensemble has commissioned renowned Malian composer Moussa Traore to compose new and original music, in traditional Malian styles, for From Mali to America, Kulu Mele’s all-new dance and drumming show, to premiere Sunday, October 15, 2017, at the Kurtz Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia, PA.
Traore’s compositions for Kulu Mele will feature traditional Didadi musical styles from Mali’s Sikasso region, as well as Madan rhythms, which traditionally were played at the end of harvests and at other festive events in Mali
Moussa Traore was born and raised in Mali, West Africa. He is widely regarded as one of Mali’s top djembe players. Moussa has performed in theatres, traditional ceremonies, the ballet, and the Malian pop music scene. Now a resident of Boston, Moussa teaches drumming workshops nationwide and continues to distinguish himself as an esteemed t performer. To date, he has recorded three CDs.
Founded in 1969 by Baba Robert Crowder, Kulu Mele has been led by artistic director Dorothy Wilkie for more than 25 years. Kulu Mele has performed across the United States, West Africa and Cuba including the Frank Gehry-designed Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, California (May, 2015); the Inside/Out Series at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival (June, 2015); and during the Pope’s visit to Philadelphia for the World Meeting of Families (September, 2015).
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