Amadou and Mariam are a musical duo from Mali, composed of the couple Mariam Doumbia (vocals) (born in Mali's capital Bamako 15 April 1958) and Amadou Bagayoko (guitar and vocals) (born in Bamako 24 October 1954). The pair, known as "the blind couple from Mali" met at Mali's Institute for the Young Blind, and found they shared an interest in music.
The duo produces music that mixes traditional Mali sound with rock guitars, Syrian violins, Cuban trumpets, Egyptian ney, Colombian trombones, Indian tablas and Dogon percussion. All these elements put together have been referred to as "afro-blues".
In 2004 they put out an acclaimed album produced by Manu Chao.
In 2006 they were acknowledged with BBC Radio 3 Awards for World Music in the two categories: Africa and Album of the Year (for the "Dimanche à Bamako" release).
Auction for signed guitar begins today
Just before the fun begins Friday night at Tasty World Uptown to celebrate the release of the latest AthFest compilation CD, festival organizers will gather with members of the august Gretsch guitar family of Savannah. It's an evening to commemorate the auctioning of a new guitar with some pretty impressive names and artwork included.
Patagonia links with musicians for green causes
NEW YORK - Jack Johnson, the Zac Brown Band and Maroon 5 have joined several other musical acts that have signed on to Patagonia's new music initiative, where fans can get exclusive tracks from their favorite acts, and the profits go to green causes.
Athens musicians get a little help from the law
At first glance, it might not seem like Athens music needs much protection; it's a thriving scene with more musicians and bands than you can count. But on a deeper level, the music that emerges here enters a wide-open landscape with any number of outlets to be exploited at the musician's expense - from a club owner who refuses to pay a band the agreed upon fee for a show to a group finding another band is using its name.
Editorial: School music program hits the right notes
As a Friday story in this newspaper suggests, it is "a no-brainer" that, in a town known for fostering and nurturing musicians, those musicians would want to return the favor to younger residents of the community.
Athens collective remixes recordings from Indonesia
Silence is one of those concepts you have to think about. The absence of sound. We don't experience real soundlessness often, even when we're alone, at rest. There's the low drone of the heat, maybe, the steady whish of our breath, a song on replay in our mind.
AthFest AfterSchool helps young musicians
It would seem a no-brainer in this music-loving town - bringing music to Athens' youngest residents. There is, after all, no shortage of musicians to share, and no shortage of youngsters eager to swap an hour's worth of textbook learning for a visit from a local rocker.
Thoughts of Vic from local musicians and fans
Editor's note: We asked local musicians as well as fans of Vic Chesnutt to share their thoughts about him, or favorite songs/lyrics, and what his words have meant to them.
Amadou and Mariam are a musical duo from Mali, composed of the couple Mariam Doumbia (vocals) (born in Mali's capital Bamako 15 April 1958) and Amadou Bagayoko (guitar and vocals) (born in Bamako 24 October 1954). The pair, known as "the blind couple from Mali" met at Mali's Institute for the Young Blind, and found they shared an interest in music.
