Bamako
—  Capital City and Cercle  —
View of Bamako
Bamako on the Niger River
Bamako Bamako on the Niger River
Coordinates: 12°39′N 8°0′W / 12.65°N 8°W / 12.65; -8
Country	Mali
Region	Bamako Capital District
Cercle	Bamako
Subdivisions	Communes Commune I[1] Commune II[1] Commune III[2] Commune IV[2] Commune V[3] Commune VI[3]
Government
• Type	Capitol District
• Marie du District	Adama Sangaré[4]
Area
• Capital City and Cercle	245.0 km2 (94.6 sq mi)
• Metro	17,141.61 km2 (6,618.41 sq mi)
Elevation[5]	350 m (1,150 ft)
Population (1 April 2009)(Census, provisional)
• Capital City and Cercle	1,809,106
• Density	7,384.11/km2 (19,124.8/sq mi)
• Metro	2,757,234
• Metro density	160.85/km2 (416.6/sq mi)
Time zone	Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-0)

View of Bamako from Space

Bamako is the capital and largest city of Mali, with a population of 1.8 million (2009 Census, provisional). In 2006, it was estimated to be the fastest growing city in Africa and sixth fastest in the world.^[6] It is located on the Niger River, near the rapids that divide the upper and middle Niger valleys in the southwestern part of the country.

Bamako is the nation's administrative center. The city proper is a cercle in its own right. Bamako's river port is located in nearby Koulikoro, along with a major regional trade and conference center. Bamako is the seventh largest West African urban center after Lagos, Abidjan, Kano, Ibadan, Dakar, and Accra. Locally manufactured goods include textiles, processed meat and metal goods. There is commercial fishing on the Niger River.

The name Bamako comes from the Bambara word meaning "crocodile river".^[7]

History[link]

The area of the city has been continuously inhabited since the Palaeolithic era for more than 150,000 years. The fertile lands of the Niger River Valley provided the people with an abundant food supply and early kingdoms in the area grew wealthy as they established trade routes linking across west Africa the Sahara and leading to northern Africa and Europe. The early inhabitants traded gold, ivory, Kola nuts and salt.^[8] By the 11th century the Empire of Ghana became the first kingdom to dominate the area. Bamako had become a major market town, and a centre for Islamic scholars, with the establishment of two universities and numerous mosques in medieval times.^[8]

The Mali Empire grew during the early Middle Ages and replaced Ghana as the dominant kingdom in west Africa, dominating Senegal, Gambia, Guinea and Mauritania.^[8] In 14th century the Mali Empire became increasingly wealthy because of the trade of cotton and salt. This was eventually succeeded by the Songhai Empire and in the 16th century Berber invaders from Morocco destroyed what remained of the kingdoms in Mali and trans-Saharan trade was taken over by sailors.^[8]

French Fort of Bammakou 1883

By the late 19th century, the French dominated much of western Africa, and in 1883, present-day Mali became part of the colony of French Sudan, and was its capital in 1908. Cotton and rice farming was encouraged through large irrigation projects and a new railroad connected Mali to Dakar on the Atlantic coast.^[8] Mali was annexed then into French West Africa, a federation which lasted from 1895 to 1959.^[8]

Mali gained independence from France in April 1960, and the Republic of Mali was later established. At this time Bamako had a population of around 160,000. During the 1960s the country became socialist and Bamako was subject to Soviet investment and influence.^[8] However, the economy declined as state enterprises collapsed and unrest was widespread.^[8] Eventually Moussa Traoré led a successful coup and ruled Mali 23 years. However his rule was characterised by severe droughts and poor government management and problems of food shortages.^[8]

Amadou Toumani Touré

In the late 1980s the people of Bamako and Mali campaigned for a free market economy and multiparty democracy. In 1990, the National Congress for Democratic Initiative (Congrès National d'Initiative démocratique, CNID) was set up by the lawyer Mountaga Tall, and the Alliance for Democracy in Mali (Alliance pour la démocratie au Mali, ADEMA) by Abdramane Baba and historian Alpha Oumar Konaré. These with the Association des élèves et étudiants du Mali (AEEM) and the Association Malienne des Droits de l'Homme (AMDH) aimed to oust Moussa Traoré. Under the old constitution, all labor unions had to belong to one confederation, the National Union of Malian Workers (UNTM). When the leadership of the UNTM broke from the government in 1990, the opposition grew. Groups were driven by paycuts and layoffs in the government sector, and the Malian government acceding to pressure from international donors to privatise large swathes of the economy that had remained in public hands even after the overthrow of the socialist government in 1968. Students, even children, played an increasing role in the protest marches in Bamako, and homes and businesses of those associated with the regime were ransacked by crowds.

On 22 March 1991 a large-scale protest march in central Bamako was violently suppressed, with estimates of those killed reaching 300. Four days later a military coup deposed Traoré. The Comité de Transition pour le Salut du Peuple was set up, headed by General Amadou Toumani Touré.^[9] Alpha Oumar Konari officially became president on 26 April 1992.^[8]

Geography[link]

The Cercle of Bamako

Bamako is situated on the Niger River floodplain, which hampers development along the riverfront and the Niger's tributaries. Bamako is relatively flat, except to the immediate north where there is an escarpment, being what remains of an extinct volcano. The Presidential Palace and main hospital are located here.

Pont des Martyrs

Originally, the city developed on the northern side of the river, but as it grew, bridges were developed to connect the north with the south. The first of these was the Pont des Martyrs (2-lane with 2 pedestrian sections) and the King Fahd Bridge (4-lane with 2 motorcycle and 2 pedestrian sections). Additionally, there is a seasonal causeway between the eastern neighborhoods of Sotuba and Misabugu inherited from colonial times (alternated traffic on 1-lane with 5 crossing sections). The Sotuba Causeway ( "Chaussée submersible de Sotuba" in French, and "Babilikoroni" in Bamanankan) is typically under water from July to January. A third bridge (1.4 km long, 24 m large, 4-lane with 2 motorcycle and 2 pedestrian sections) is being built at the same location^[10] to reduce downtown congestion, notably by trucks.

Climate[link]

Bamako has a hot and humid Sahelian climate and is very hot on average all year round. Under the Köppen climate classification, Bamako has a tropical wet and dry climate. The average temperature highs of every month is over 30 °C, with the warmest months being March, April and May, when the temperature reaches an average of 39 °C. Record highs of 46 °C have been recorded in the month of May. The coolest months are November to February, which experience average lows of 16–19 °C, although the temperature may fluctuate greatly, with highs of 47 °C having been recorded in February, for instance. During the winter months, rainfall is very scarce, with little rain falling from October to April and virtually no rainfall between December and February. The rainy season occurs in the summer, with the peak rainfall occurring in the months of July, August and September.

Administration[link]

Taxi vans in Bamako

Avenue Al Qoods in central Bamako

The District of Bamako has been divided into six communes (distinguished by numbers, and not named) since Ordinance No. 78-34/CNLM of 18 August 1978, and amended by a law in February 1982 establishing the new boundaries of Communes III and IV.^[12] Each commune is administered by the municipal council and a mayor elected from among its members. The last elections were held on 26 April 2009 and the Alliance for Democracy in Mali hold the majority of representatives for the communes.

Communes and neighborhoods[link]

Commune I has a population of 335,407 people (2009) and covers an area of 35,0 km². It is bounded to the north by the rural commune of Djalakorodji (Kati Cercle), west by the Commune II, north-east by the rural commune of Sangarebougou (Kati Cercle), on the east by the rural commune of Gabakourou and south by the Niger River. Nine neighborhoods comprise this commune: Banconi, Boulkassombougou, Djelibougou, Doumanzana Fadjiguila, Sotuba Korofina North and South Korofina Sikoroni.^[13]

Commune II has a population of 159,805 people (2009) and covers an area of 18,3 km². It is bounded to the east by the backwater of Korofina at the west foot of the Point G hill, and to the south by Niger River. The municipality has eleven neighborhoods: Niaréla (the oldest), Bagadadji, Medina-Coura, Bozola, Missira, Hippodrome, Quinzambougou, Bakaribougou, TSF, Industrial Area and Bougouba. The area is the most important in the industry sector in Bamako.^[14]

Commune III has a population of 128,872 people (2009) and covers an area of 20,7 km². It is bounded on the north by the Kati, east by the Boulevard du Peuple, which separates it from the Commune II, south by the portion of the Niger River, between the Pont des Martyrs and the Motel de Bamako, and west by the Farako River and Avenue Cheick Zayed El Mahyan Ben Sultan with the neighborhood of ACI-2000. Commune III is the administrative and commercial center of Bamako. It accommodates in particular the two largest markets in the capital, the Grand Market and Didida. Twenty neighborhoods make up this commune and the villages pf Koulouninko and Sirakorodounfing were attached to the Commune III.^[15]

Commune IV has a population of 300,085 people (2009) and covers an area of 42,0 km². It is bounded to the east by Commune III, north, west by Kati Cercle and south by the left bank of the Niger River. Commune IV consists of eight neighborhoods: Taliko, Lassa, Sibiribougou, Djikoroni Para, Sébénikoro, Hamdallaye, Lafiabougou and Kalabambougou.^[16]

Commune V has a population of 414,668 people (2009) and covers an area of 42,0 km².^[17] It is bounded to the north by the Niger River, south by the airport and the town of Coro-Kalanban, and to the east by the Commune VI and Niger. It consists of eight neighborhoods: Badalabougou, Sema I, Quartier Mali, Torokorobougou, Baco-Djicoroni, Sabalibougou, Daoudabougou and Kalaban-Coura.

Commune VI has a population of 470,269 people (2009) and covers an area of 87,0 km². This is the largest of the communes that make up Bamako. It consists of ten neighborhoods: Banankabougou, Djanékéla, Faladié, Magnambougou, Missabougou, Niamakoro, Sénou, Sogoniko, Sokorodji and Yrimadio [20].

Bamako contains the following neighborhoods (quartiers): ACI-2000, Badalabugu, Bajalan I, Bajalan II, Bako Jikoroni, Bagadaji, Bamako Kura, Bankoni, Bolibana, Bozola, Bugudani, Bulkasumbugu, Dar Salam, N'tomikorobougou, Dawdabugu, Dravela, Fajigila, Falaje, Garantigibugu, Jalakoroji, Janekela, Janjigila, Jelibugu, Jikoroni Para, Jumanzana, Hamdallaye, Hippodrome, Kalaban Koro, Kalaban Kura, Korofina, Kuluba, Kulubleni, Lafiabugu, Madina Kura, Magnambugu (Magnambugu Faso Kanu), Misabugu, Misira, Niarela, Ntomikorobugu, Point G, Quartier du Fleuve, Quartier Mali, Quinzanbugu, Sabalibugu I, Sabalibugu II, Safo, Same, Sangarebugu, Saranbugu, Sebeninkoro, Sikoroni, Sirakoro, Senu, Sibiribugu, Sokoniko, Sokoroji, Sotuba, Titibugu, Torokorobugu, TSF-Sans Fil, Wolofobugu, Yirimanjo, Zone Industrielle

Demographics[link]

People gathered on a Bamako hillside.

The population growth has been staggering. In 1884 it had only 2500 inhabitants, 8000 in 1908, 37,000 in 1945 and 100,000 in 1960. Today the population is at least 18 times the size of what it was in 1960 with over 1,800,000 recorded at the 2009 Census, and continues to attract a rural population in search of work. Including illegal squatters and temporary workers some experts believe the population today is well over 2 million. This uncontrolled growth causes significant difficulties in terms of traffic, sanitation (access to safe water, sanitation), pollution. Bamako became the crossroads of West Africa and hosts a diverse population, composed of different ethnic groups in Mali but also from neighboring countries.

Economy[link]

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Craft sellers set up their wares at the "zone artisanal" in Bamako city centre.

Industry[link]

The traditional commercial centre of Bamako was located to the north of the river, and contained within a triangle bounded by Avenue du Fleuve, Rue Baba Diarra and Boulevard du Peuple. This area contains the Marché Rose and Street Market.

The downtown area is highly congested, polluted, and expensive, and urbanization is sprawling at a rapid pace within a radius of 30 km. The largest urbanized area now lies on the southern bank of the Niger River. A modern Central Business District is rapidly developing immediately west of the downtown area in the ACI-2000 district, taking advantage of a well-designed geometric layout, legacy of the old airport runways and taxiways. A large administrative area is being developed at the junction between ACI-2000 and the King Fadh Bridge, containing most of the state departments (ministries) and administrative services in a central location. Bamako is also the headquarters of many large companies and administrative institutions.^{[citation needed]} Air Mali (formerly Compagnie Aérienne du Mali) has its head office in Bamako.^[18] Bamako received much investment by Saudi Arabia for decades which saw a number of important structures being built. In recent years, China has become an important investor in Bamako, developing its infrastructure and facilities.

Cattle crossing a road in Bamako

Agriculture is active in Bamako, with the presence of Bozo fisherman and it is common to see cattle crossing the streets. However, the most important by far is the manufacturing and service sector. The District of Bamako concentrates 70% of industrial activity.^[19] The service sector is the most developed, and the city thrives in crafts and trade.

Music[link]

A music boom in Bamako took off in the 1990s, when the vocalist Salif Keita and the singer-guitarist Ali Farka Touré achieved international fame.^[20] It attracted a number of tourists, record producers and aspiring musicians to the city to try to follow in their footsteps. It is common to see musicians in the streets with djembes and percussion bands playing traditional Bamana rhythms.

The range of ethnicities involved in Bamako's music scene are diverse, including singers and instrumentalists from Mali's myriad ethnic groups; the Tuaregs of the Sahara, the Sonrai of Timbuktu, the Malinkes from the border region south of Bamako, the Dogon cliff dwellers, the Wassalous near the Ivory Coast, the Fulas of central Mali etc.^[20] Bars and nightclubs have grown rapidly including Mr. Keita's Mofu and Oumou Sangare's Hotel Wassulu which featured Malian and other west African artists. Notable western artists such as Robert Plant, Ry Cooder, Bonnie Raitt, John Lee Hooker and the French Basque star Manu Chao have all visited Bamako to jam and record with notable local musicians.^[20]

Energy[link]

Much of the electricity, is generated from the hydroelectric Sélingué Dam.The drinking water supply in Bamako and Kati is also ensured by a pumping station on the Niger River. However, the capacity of 135,000 m³ to provide drinking water per day is insufficient for the needs estimated at 152,000 m³ during the hot season between April and June. During this period, frequent water shortages are experienced. A new pumping station is to open in Kabala in 2009.

Landmarks[link]

Bamako Grand Mosque

The National Library of Mali was first created by the Institut Français d'Afrique Noire, an arm of the French colonial government, in 1944. Following Mali's 1960 independence, this library became the Government Library; it would later be renamed again as the National Library of Mali. In 1968 the library was transferred from its initial home in Koulouba to Ouolofobougou, a section of Bamako. The library holds more than 60,000 works, including books, periodicals, audio documents, videos, and software. These materials are available free to the public, though a small subscription fee is required for borrowing privileges. The library also hosts some of the exhibits for African Photography Encounters, a biannual Bamako photography festival.

The Bamako Grand Mosque is located in the city centre of Bamako, situated north of the Niger River near the central Market (Grand Marche) and the colonial era Bamako Cathedral. It is one of the tallest structures in Bamako. Built on the site of a pre-colonial mud-brick mosque, the current mosque was built through funding from the Saudi Arabian government at the end of the 1970s. With its tall cement minarets built around a square central structure, the building is stylistically closer to Saudi religious structures than West African.^[21] The mosque is visible from much of the city and occasionally is opened to tourists.

BCEAO tower

The BCEAO Tower at 20 stories is the tallest building in the West African nation. It sits of the north ("left") bank of the River Niger in the city centre of Bamako.^[22] The BCEAO Tower is the Malian headquarters of the Central Bank of West African States, which provides development banking and government financial and currency services in several Francophone West African nations. Classified as Neo-Sudanic architecture, it is modeled on the Sudano-Sahelian architecture of the famous mosques of Djenne and Timbuktu. The building is located in the busy Commune III neighbourhood, where "Avenue Moussa Tavele" meets the waterside boulevard between the two main Bamako bridges : King Fahd Bridge a block west and Martyrs Bridge three blocks east. Just to the east of the BCEAO complex, a park and formal garden marks where the diagonally running "Boulevard du Peuple" reaches the river. By contrast, small market gardens and launching points or river canoes lie along the river front.^[22] With the Hotel de l'Amitié and the Bamako Grand Mosque, the BCEAO Tower is one of three landmarks visible across most of the city.^[22] Also of note is the Bamako Cathedral.

The National Museum of Mali buildings, designed by architect Jean-Loup Pivin.

Bamako Cathedral

The National Museum of Mali is an archeological and anthropological museum, presenting permanent and temporary exhibits on the prehistory of Mali, as well as the musical instruments, dress, and ritual objects associated with Mali's various ethnic groups. The National Museum began under French rule as the Sudanese Museum, part of the Institut Français d'Afrique Noire (IFAN) under Théodore Monod. It was opened on 14 February 1953, under the direction of Ukrainian archeologist Y. Shumowskyi. Archaeologist Y. Shumovskyi had worked in the museum for nine years, gathering half (nearly 3000) of today's finds.

With the independence of the Republic of Mali in 1960, the Sudanese Museum became the National Museum of Mali, with the new objectives of promoting national unity and celebrating Malian traditional culture. However, lack of financial means and absence of qualified personnel caused some deterioration in the museum's collections. On 30 March 1956, the National Museum moved into a new cemented structure, created by architect Jean-Loup Pivin from traditional Malian designs. Since the 1996 election of former archaeologist Alpha Oumar Konaré to Mali's presidency, the museum's funding has increased considerably, becoming among the best in West Africa. The museum often hosts part of the biannual African Photography Encounters, photography festival held in Bamako since 1994.

Also of note is the Muso Kunda Museum, the Bamako Regional Museum, Bamako Zoo, the Bamako Botanical Gardens, the National Conference Center Tower (NCC), the Souvenir Pyramid, the Independence Monument, Al Quoods Monument, the triangular Monument de la paix, the Hamdallaye obelisk, the Modibo Keita Memorial and many other monuments, the Palais de la Culture Amadou Hampaté Ba and the Point G hill, containing caves with rock paintings.

In 1988, Bamako was the location of a WHO conference known as the Bamako Initiative that helped reshape health policy of Sub-Saharan Africa. The yearly held Budapest-Bamako rally has the endpoint in Bamako, with the Dakar Rally often passing through Bamako.

• 

  Al Quoods Monument

• 

  Independence Monument

• 

  Monument de la paix

• 

  Hamdallaye obelisk

• 

  Statue of Gustave Borgnis-Desbordes

• 

  Pyramide du souvenir

• 

  Place Abdoul Karim Camara

• 

  Place des explorateurs

Transport[link]

Looking north from Pont Des Martyrs. Kuluba hill is in the background.

This is a Sotrama stand (pronounced so-tram-a). The Sotrama (Taxi van) is what is used as 'public transportation' though many are owned independently.

The Dakar-Niger Railway links Bamako to Dakar via Kati, Négala, Kita and Kayes. The road network links Bamako to Koulikoro, Kati, Kolokani, Ségou and Sikasso.

The Bamako-Sénou International Airport is located 15 km from the city and opened to passengers in 1974. Passenger traffic steadily increased in the early 2000s. Government figures revealed 403,380 passengers in 1999, 423,506 in 2003, 486,526 in 2004, and 516,000 in 2005. and is predicted to reach over 900,000 by 2015 under a low (4%) yearly growth rate scenario.^[23] To date this growth rate has been surpassed. Total air traffic the airport increased by 12.4% in 2007 and 14% in 2008. Most of this increase came in passenger transport, with the number of passengers served increasing by 20% in 2007 and 17% in 2008. Twenty-seven airline carriers operated weekly or better at Bamako-Sénou International Airport in the 2007–2008 period. This continued growth was offset by cargo flights' decline of 16.75% in 2007, and 3.93% in 2008.^[24] The highest frequency route is on the Bamako-Dakar sector with 29 weekly non-stop connections. Domestic flights also serve Mali's regional capitals Kayes, Mopti, Timbuktu, Sikasso, Gao, and Kidal. Bamako Senou International Airport is managed by Aéroports du Mali (ADM).^[23] Its operations are overseen by the Malian Ministry of Equipment and Transports.^[24]

Much of the transportation is either by the Niger River, or by paved roads linking Bamako to other major urban areas. Navigating the Niger River is possible from Koulikoro to Mopti and Gao. The bush taxi is one of the main modes of transport.

Bamako is situated on both sides of the river Niger River and two bridges connect the two banks: the Bridge of Martyrs completed in 1960 and renamed in memory of protesters killed in March 1991 by the regime of Moussa Traoré, and the King Fahd Bridge, named after the Saudi Arabian donor. A third bridge project is currently being funded by the People's Republic of China. Located in Sotuba area, it has the objective to decongest traffic in the city.^[25]

Healthcare[link]

The Point G hospital, built between 1906 and 1913, covers an area of 25 hectares. A former military hospital, it became a civilian hospital shortly before the independence of Mali, and is situated on a hill overlooking Bamako^[26]

The second hospital of Bamako is the Gabriel Touré Hospital named after a young doctor and humanist Gabriel Touré who was born in 1910 in Ouagadougou and died in 1935 after having been contaminated by a patient with the pneumonic plague. The hospital was established in 1959.^[27]

The contract for the building of a new hospital in Bamako, to relieve pressure on the other hospital resources was signed on 27 December 2008. Located in the district of Yirimadio, the department will include a pediatric and obstetrics-gynecology facilities, a department of internal medicine, medical imagery facilities and hospital care with 150 beds to support the emergency services and intensive care. This hospital, like many recent developments in Bamako is financed and equipped with Chinese investment.^[28]

In popular culture[link]

Bamako has provided the backdrop or been the subject of books and films such as Bamako, directed by Abderrahmane Sissako. The film depicts a trial taking place in Bamako, amid the daily life that is going on in the city. In the midst of that trial, two sides argue whether the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, or perhaps corruption, are guilty of the current financial state of many poverty-stricken African countries. The film was first released at the Cannes Film Festival on 21 May 2006 and in Manhattan by New Yorker Films on 14 February 2007 and was the recipient of the first Film Award of the Council of Europe given at the Istanbul International Film Festival in April 2007.^[29]

Notable people[link]

• 

  Ministry buildings

• 

  A Bozo girl in Bamako

• 

  Pont des Martyres (Martyrs' Bridge)

• 

  Monument

• 

  Tower by the Bamako International Conference Center

• 

  Bamako airport road welcome sign

• 

  Place de la liberté

Sister cities[link]

• Angers, France (since 1974)
• Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
• Dakar, Senegal
• Leipzig, Germany
• Rochester, New York United States (since 1975)
• São Paulo, Brazil (since 2000)

See also[link]

• Railway stations in Mali
• List of cities in Mali

References[link]

• Pascal James Imperato. Historical Dictionary of Mali. Scarecrow Press/ Metuchen. NJ – London (1986) ISBN 0-8108-1369-6
• Ross Velton. Mali: The Bradt Travel Guide. Guilford, Connecticut: Globe Pequot Press, 2000.

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Bamako

• Bamako-culture.org (French language)
• Bamako at Cités du Monde (French language)
• United States Embassy in Bamako

v t e Niger River Countries Guinea Mali Niger Benin Nigeria Sections Source of the Niger Middle Niger Inner Niger Delta Lower Niger Niger Delta Tributaries (list) and distributaries Tinkisso River Sankarani River Milo River Bani River Mekrou River Alibori River Sola River Sokoto River Sota River Kaduna River Benue River Anambra River Forcados River Nun River Cities Siguiri Bamako Segou Mopti Timbuktu Gao Niamey Lokoja Onitsha Lakes Kainji Lake Lac Debo Dams and bridges King Fahd Bridge Martyrs Bridge Markala Dam Gao Bridge Kennedy Bridge Kainji Dam River Niger Bridge (Onitsha) Protected Areas Niger Basin Authority National Park of Upper Niger W National Park Kainji National Park

v t e Cercles of Mali Kayes Region Bafoulabé · Diéma · Kita · Kéniéba · Kayes · Nioro · Yélimané Koulikoro Region Banamba · Dioïla · Kangaba · Koulikoro · Kolokani · Kati · Nara Sikasso Region Bongouni · Kolondieba · Kadiolo · Koutiala · Sikasso · Yanfolila · Yorosso Ségou Region Bla · Barouéli · Macina · Niono · Ségou · San · Tominian Mopti Region Bandiagara · Bankass · Djenné · Douentza · Koro · Mopti · Tenenkou · Youwarou Tombouctou Region Diré · Goundam · Gourma-Rharous · Niafunké · Timbuktu Gao Region Ansongo · Bourem · Gao · Menaka Kidal Region Abeïbara · Kidal · Tin-Essako · Tessalit Bamako Capital District Bamako

Coordinates: 12°39′N 8°0′W / 12.65°N 8°W / 12.65; -8

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (February 2010)

Roswell Rudd
Background information
Birth name	Roswell Hopkins Rudd, Jr.
Born	(1935-11-17) 17 November 1935 (age 76) Sharon, Connecticut United States
Genres	Jazz, Dixieland, Free jazz, avant-garde jazz.
Occupations	Musician, songwriter, Professor
Instruments	Trombone,
Years active	1957–present
Labels	Columbia, Sunnyside, Universal, DIW, Verve
Associated acts	Eli's Chosen Six, New York Art Quartet, Archie Shepp, Thelonious Monk

Roswell Rudd (born Roswell Hopkins Rudd, Jr. in Sharon, Connecticut, on November 17, 1935) is a Grammy Award-nominated American jazz trombonist and composer.^[1]

Although skilled in a variety of genres of jazz (including dixieland, which he performed while in college) and other genres of music, he is known primarily for his work in free and avant-garde jazz. Since 1962 Rudd has worked extensively with saxophonist Archie Shepp.^[2]

Biography[link]

Rudd graduated from Yale University where he had played with Eli's Chosen Six, a dixieland band of Yale students that Rudd joined in the mid-'50s. The sextet played the boisterous trad jazz style of the day and recorded two albums, including one for Columbia. His landmark collaborations with Cecil Taylor, Archie Shepp, John Tchicai and Steve Lacy grew out of the lessons learned while playing rags and stomps for drunken college kids in Connecticut.^[3]

Rudd later taught ethnomusicology at Bard College and the University of Maine.^[4] On and off for a period of three decades, Roswell Rudd assisted Alan Lomax with his world music song style (Cantometrics)^[5] and Global Jukebox projects^[6], and the wealth of information on the music of this planet that he absorbed inspired him to collaborate beyond the periphery of jazz or even of western music.

In the 1960s, Rudd participated in key free jazz recordings. Highlights include work with the New York Art Quartet; on the soundtrack recording for Michael Snow's 1964 film New York Eye and Ear Control; Michael Mantler & Carla Bley's 1968 Jazz Composer's Orchestra - Communications featuring Cecil Taylor; and collaborations with Don Cherry, Pharoah Sanders, Larry Coryell and Gato Barbieri. A major factor in Rudd's career has been his lifelong friendships with saxophonists Archie Shepp and Steve Lacy -- and his numerous recordings and performances of the music of Thelonious Monk with Lacy.^[7]

Rudd has been a frequent visitor to the African nation of Mali, performing and recording with Malian musicians. His 2001 CD MALIcool, a cross-cultural collaboration with kora player Toumani Diabaté^[8] and other Malian musicians, represented the first time the trombone had been featured in a recording of Malian traditional music.^[9]

In 2004 he brought his Trombone Shout Band to perform at the 4th Festival au Désert in Essakane, Tombouctou Region, Mali.

In 2005 he extended his reach even further, recording a CD with the Mongolian Buryat Band, a traditional music group of musicians from Mongolia and Buryatia, entitled Blue Mongol.^[10]

More recently he has recorded with Latino musicians from New York City.

Rudd conducts master classes and workshops both in the United States and around the world.^[11]

He co-leads an ensemble with Archie Shepp, as well as touring with MALIcool, the Mongolian Buryat Band, as well as being a featured guest with a myriad of musicians, not always "jazz" musicians.

Awards and honors[link]

• In 2000 Rudd was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship in composition.^[12]
• In 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009 and 2010. he was voted Trombonist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association^[13][14][15], ^[16][17].
• His 1999 album Monk's Dream was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Vocal Performance Male, as well as a Grammy Award for Best Jazz Instrumental Album.
• 2010 Down Beat Magazine Critic's Poll – #1 Trombonist (46 years after the same forum voted him most likely to succeed, in 1964)^[18]
• One of the 10 best of 2003 – Chris Porter, Washington City Paper
• THE CODA TOP TEN OF 2002 - Selected by Duck Baker

Discography[link]

As leader[link]

• 1965: Roswell Rudd (America)
• 1966: Everywhere (also released as part of Mixed)
• 1973: Numatik Swing Band
• 1974: Flexible Flyer (Freedom Records)
• 1976: Blown Bone (Emanem Records)
• 1976: Inside Job with Enrico Rava, Dave Burrell, Stafford James, Harold White (Arista/ Freedom)
• 1978: The Definitive Roswell Rudd (Horo Records)
• 1982: Regeneration with Steve Lacy, Misha Mengelberg, Kent Carter, Han Bennink (Soul Note)
• 1996: The Unheard Herbie Nichols-VOL 1 & 2 with John Bacon, Jr and Greg Miller (CIMP)
• 1999: New York Art Quartet: 35 Reunion (DIW)
• 1999: Monk's Dream Steve Lacy/Roswell Rudd (Universal/Verve Records)
• 2000: Broad Strokes (Knitting Media)
• 2001: The Charlie Kohlhase Quintet plays the Music of Roswell Rudd: Eventuality (NADA)
• 2001: Roswell Rudd and Archie Shepp Live in New York (Universal)
• 2002: MALIcool (UNIVERSAL/Sunnyside)
• 2005: Blue Mongol (Sunnyside)
• 2006: El Espiritu Jibaro (Sunnyside)
• 2007: Keep Your Heart Right (Sunnyside)
• 2008: El Encuentro (Mojito Records)

As sideman[link]

• 2008 - Concertos – Michael Mantler (ECM Records)
• 2006 - "Dry Bones" - with Sonic Youth, The Harry Smith Project CD 1 (Shout! Factory)
• 2003 - Sex Mob - Dime Grind Palace (Ropeadope Records)
• 2002 - Seize the Time – Nexus Orchestra (Splasch Records)
• 1997 - Newsense with Elton Dean (Slam Records)
• 1996 - Bladik Keith Tippett et al. (Cuneiform)
• 1996 - Terrible NRBQ & Terry Adams (New World)
• 1996 - Rumors of an Incident with Elton Dean (Slam Records)
• 1995 - Wozzek's Death with Allen Lowe (Enja)
• 1995 - Wild Weekend NRBQ & Terry Adams Virgin
• 1994 - Dark Was the Night with Allen Lowe
• 1992 - Darn it with Paul Haines AMERICAN CLAVE
• 1984 - That's the Way I Feel Now Produced by Hal Wilner - Monk Compositions
• 1981 - Interpretations of Monk Barry Harris, Steve Lacy, Don Cherry, Charlie Rouse, Mal Waldron, Muhal Richard Abrams, Ed Blackwell, Ben Riley, Richard Davis, Anthony Davis
• 1979 - Divine Song - with Sangeeta Michael Berardi, Rashied Ali, Eddie Gomez, Archie Shepp
• 1979 - Sharing - Giorgio Gaslini Discgidella Quercia
• 1979 - Musique Mecanique with Carla Bley Watt
• 1978 - Enrico Rava Quartet Enrico Rava, J.F. Jenny-Clarke & Aldo Romano ECM
• 1977 - European Tour 1977 with Carla Bley Watt
• 1976 - Dinner Music with Carla Bley Watt
• 1976 - Maine BVHAAST
• 1975 - Trickles Steve Lacy, Beaver Harris, Kent Carter Soul Note
• 1974 - Village on the Left Marcello Melis & Don Moye Soul Note
• 1972 - The Third World with Gato Barbieri IMPULSE
• 1972 - Roswell Rudd ( New York Art Quartet) AMERICA
• 1971 - Escalator over the Hill by Carla Bley JCOA
• 1971 - Liberation Music Orchestra Charlie Haden Impulse
• 1968 - Communications with Michael Mantler and JCOA WATT
• 1967 - Live At Donaueschingen SABA
• 1966 - Mama Too Tight with Archie Shepp Impulse
• 1966 - Until with Robin Kenyatta (Atlantic)
• 1966 - New York Eye and Ear Control Don Cherry, Albert Ayler, John Tchicai and Gary Peacock (ESP)
• 1966 - Archie Shepp Live in San Francisco with Archie Shepp (Impulse)
• 1964 - New York Art Quartet John Tchicai, Milford Graves (ESP)
• 1964 - Four for Trane with Archie Shepp (Impulse)
• 1963 - School Days Steve Lacy, Dennis Charles, Henry Grimes (HAT HUT)
• 1962 - Into the Hot Gil Evans / Cecil Taylor (Impulse)
• 1961 - New York City R&B Buell Neidlinger, Cecil Taylor (Mosaic)
• 1957 - Eli's Chosen 6 Yale University Dixieland Band (Columbia)

References[link]

External links[link]

• NY Times feature on Roswell Rudd and Verna Gillis
• Interview with Roswell Rudd, 2002
• Discography
• "In Conversation with Roswell Rudd" by Tomas Peña (Jazz.com)

Toumani Diabaté
Toumani Diabaté describing the construction of the kora during a performance at Afrofest 2007 in Toronto, Ontario
Background information
Born	(1965-08-10) August 10, 1965 (age 46)
Origin	Mali
Genres	Mali Music, Pop, World music
Occupations	Musician
Instruments	Kora
Years active	1987–present
Labels	World Circuit
Website	worldcircuit.co.uk/#Toumani_Diabate
Notable instruments
Kora

Toumani Diabaté (born August 10, 1965) is a Malian kora player. In addition to performing the traditional music of Mali, he has also been involved in cross-cultural collaborations with flamenco, blues, jazz, and other international styles.

Biography[link]

Diabaté comes from a long family tradition of kora players including his father Sidiki Diabaté, who recorded the first ever kora album in 1970. His family's oral tradition tells of 71 generations of musicians preceding him in a patrilineal line. His cousin Sona Jobarteh is the first female kora player to come from a Griot family.

In 1987, Diabate made his first appearance on an album in the UK, on Ba Togoma, an album featuring his father's ensemble. In 1988 Diabaté released his first album in the West, a solo album entitled Kaira, recorded in one afternoon in London and produced by Lucy Duran.

In addition to performing Malian traditional music, Diabaté has also performed and recorded in cross-cultural settings. He has collaborated with flamenco group Ketama, forming a combined group known as Songhai and releasing two recordings: Songhai I and Songhai II. In 2006, Diabaté collaborated with American blues musician Taj Mahal on the release Kulanjan. "MALIcool" is a collaboration with American jazz trombonist Roswell Rudd. He also collaborated with the Icelandic popular musician Björk on her 2007 album Volta.

In 1999 Diabaté released the album New Ancient Strings, a collaboration with Ballake Sissoko and in September 2005, he released In the Heart of the Moon, for which he collaborated with Ali Farka Touré. The album went on to win the 2006 Grammy Award for Best Traditional World Music Album. On July 25, 2006 he released his latest album Boulevard de l'Indépendance, recorded with his Symmetric Orchestra. In the Heart of the Moon and Boulevard de l'Indépendance, are both part of the Hotel Mandé Sessions, recorded by Nick Gold and released on World Circuit Records. Both Boulevard and Hotel Mandé are references to landmarks in Mali's capital city, Bamako.

The Symmetric Orchestra led by Toumani Diabaté is composed of musicians (mostly griots)^[1] from the across the old Mande Empire of west Africa, who play a mix of traditional instruments including the kora, djembe, balafon and bolombatto, as well as modern ones like the guitar and electronic keyboard.

Diabaté appeared in 2006 at the WOMAD Festival UK, Roskilde Festival in Denmark, and at the Sziget Festival in Budapest, Hungary. In 2007 he performed at the Glastonbury Festival and toured the U.S.A.. In 2008, he was at WOMADelaide (in Adelaide, South Australia).^[2] In early 2008, Diabaté released his new album of solo Kora music, The Mande Variations, to widespread critical acclaim. Many reviewers praised the album for its detailed recording of the Kora and careful mastering, in addition to the improvisational skills and wide range of apparent influences displayed on the album.^[3]

In October 2008 the Arabic language lyrics in Diabaté's song Tapha Niang (from Boulevard de l'Indépendance) were removed from the PlayStation 3 video game LittleBigPlanet, after it elicited objections from a Muslim individual due to their inclusion of verses from the Qur’an.^[4] The publisher Sony Computer Entertainment Europe decided to delay the launch of the game by a week and recall most discs in order to replace the song with a lyric-free instrumental version. However, some copies of the original game had already been sold in the Middle East and United States.^[5]

Diabaté was chosen by Matt Groening to perform at the All Tomorrow's Parties festival in May 2010 in Minehead. Diabaté also performed at Hay Festival in June. In July he performed at the Larmer Tree Festival to huge acclaim.

Discography[link]

Toumani Diabate performing at the 2007 Winnipeg Folk Festival

• 1987 - "Ba Togoma" (with Sidiki Diabaté, Mariama Kouyaté, Djeli Mady Sissoko, Kandia Kouayté)
• 1988 - Kaira
• 1988 - Songhai (with Ketama and Danny Thompson)
• 1994 - Songhai 2 (with Ketama and Danny Thompson)
• 1995 - Djelika
• 1999 - New Ancient Strings (with Ballake Sissoko)
• 1999 - Kulanjan (with Taj Mahal)
• 2001 - Jarabi: the Best of Toumani Diabate
• 2002 - Malicool (with Roswell Rudd)
• 2005 - In the Heart of the Moon (with Ali Farka Touré)
• 2006 - Boulevard de l'Indépendance
• 2008 - The Mandé Variations
• 2010 - Ali and Toumani - (World Circuit/Nonesuch Records) (with Ali Farka Touré)
• 2011 - A Curva da Cintura (with Arnaldo Antunes and Edgard Scandurra) - Brazil