World Routes - World Routes -The West African Balafon

Lucy Duran travels to Mali to hear traditional and modern players of the African xylophone, an instrument that has been used for centuries to announce news or simply to play for partying. Following the rarely heard music of the small balani xylophone at a village celebration in central Mali, there is a performance by Neba Solo, who thrills a festival audience of 10,000 with the resonant tones of the Senufo bass balafon. Playlist -Saturday 11 October, 3pm The African Balafon Kenedougou Foly (composed by Suleyman Traore) Performed by Neba Solo Dely Fara Mande (composed by Suleyman Traore) Performed by Neba Solo Traditional music performed for harvest Performed by Adama Diarra the ensemble Benkadi (Band from Ulufina) Interview with Adama Diarra, performer of Balani Balafon K’an ben (Arr. by Diarra) Adama Diarra the ensemble Benkadi (Band from Ulufina) “Yelele Bissile” (composed by Suleyman Traore) Performed by Neba Solo Pour les Dames (Composed by Suleyman Traore) Performed by Neba Solo Interview with Suleyman Traore Cinporoko Nonougoro (composed by Suleyman Traore) Performed by Neba Solo Festival on the Niger (composed Suleyman Traore) Performed by Neba Solo All recordings made by the BBC, on Location, at the Festival sur le Niger or Tingolay -Mali, February ‘08