KHAIRA ARBY - IN NEW YORK LIVE 2010

The house was packed. Anticipation murmured through the room. A concert by the legend from faraway Timbuktu was to appear. Energy built as the band began to mount the stage until the whole place vibrated as KHAIRA ARBY appeared. This was Khaira’s first North American performance.  When her hot band began she brought the whole place to its feet with cheers. This audience witnessed a master at work.

The band included gifted young guitarist Dramane Toure. A master of the traditional 3-stringed tehardent/ngoni, Abellow Yattara. The band played off each other with burning punk riffs and lightening fast trills tying the past to the future. That was the essence of Khaira’s music. While honoring tradition she updated it with contemporary energy. This concert brought the pride of Timbuktu to New York

Khaira was meant to be heard live. She fed off the crowds enthusiasm. Seated audiences jumped up with shouts and cheers. Hers was live dance music – a celebration – a maelstrom of sounds, rhythm and humanity.  Unwritten, unschooled, authentic.  Brilliant.

Sadly Khaira passed away in Bamako Mali in August of 2018.

CD and vinyl available in North America HERE | in France HERE | in Benelux HERE and at online retailers and fine record stores everywhere.

Special thanks to: Caleb Hammons, Bard SummerScape, Fisher Center at Bard, Bard College. www.fishercenter.bard.edu and to Raissa St Pierre.