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Contact:

Sarah Ray

802-443-5794

sray@middlebury.edu

Posted: January 28, 2001

MIDDLEBURY,

VT-

She hails from the West African nation of Mali where she has

gained notoriety as a modern day troubadour following a

centuries-old tradition of singers who served as

cornerstones to daily life. Kandia Kouyate plans to share

her unique sound with a Vermont audience in a Middlebury

College concert Wednesday, Feb. 13, at 7:30 p.m. in the

Concert Hall at the Center for the Arts on South Main Street

(Route 30).

The

semi-arid nation of Mali is home to the legendary city of

Timbuktu. Kouyate’s music is rooted in the tradition of

the Mandinka tribe in which male singers called “Jali”

served a myriad of functions in society including

historians, genealogists, poets, entertainers, praise

singers and counselors. Today, the Jali are mostly

entertainers. Female Jali such as Kouyate are quite popular

and have earned the title “Jalimusa.”

Although she

embraces her role in modern music, Kouyate has remained true

to her tradition in her appearance and her material. For

example, she performs her interpretations of great epic

story-songs of Mande history, such as the tale of Sundiata,

the 12th century founder of the Empire of

Mali.

Kouyate has

received critical acclaim in Africa and recently in Europe.

Searching for a familiar comparison, The New York Times said

Kouyate has “the charisma and vocal power of the most

commanding American soul singers,” although her music is far

from the sound of modern soul.

In addition

to guitar and strings, Kouyate’s ensemble features

accompaniment on traditional African instruments, including

a 21-string harp-lute called a “kora,” a xylophone called a

“balafon,” and a bass harp called a “bolon.”

Following

several recordings in Africa, Kouyate recently released her

first solo compact disc on the Sterns label.

Her concert

is sponsored by the Middlebury College Performing Arts

Series. Tickets for the performance are $10 for general

admission and $8 for seniors. For information and tickets,

contact the College box office at 802-443-6433.