Oumou Sangare

Malian singer Oumou Sangare's first album in six years, Seya, will be released by World Circuit/Nonesuch Records on June 9. This summer, Sangare tours major festivals in support of the new record.

Since her debut release Moussoulou rocketed her to national stardom in 1989, Sangare has retained her position as one of West Africa's most outspoken artists. Her trademark Wassoulou sound is rooted in a deep attachment to the culture of Wasulu, the remote forest region in the south of Mali from which her family hails. The New York Times calls Sangare, “The most important female singer in Mali today."

Sangare began recording Seya in the Malian capital of Bamako with a core group of the musical city's notable artists including long time collaborator Benego Diakite on kamele ngoni (Wassoulou harp), Massambou Wele Diallo (arranger), and Neba Solo (balafon), among many others. She enlisted the Malian arranger and producer Cheikh Tidiane Seck, pushing the boundaries of Wassoulou music with a diverse line-up of guest contributors including Tony Allen (drums), Fred Wesley (trombone), Pee Wee Ellis (saxophone), and Magic Malik (flute). World Circuit head Nick Gold co-produced the record with Sangare and Seck.

As with her previous albums, all of the songs on Seya were written by Sangare, who is known for her incisive commentary on life in Mali. Her work has especially impacted discussions of women's issues. On Seya, Sangare explores how mortality encourages us to leave a legacy for the next generation, discuses the importance of harmony in marriage, and denounces polygamy. She also calls for parents to stop encouraging under-age marriage.

Oumou Sangare's albums and dynamic performances have earned her a devoted following around the world. She is sought out for collaborations by a wide range of international artists including Alicia Keys, Bela Fleck, Trilok Gurtu, and Meshell Ndegeocello.

Oumou Sangare Tour Dates:

05/22/09 Fri Druga Godba Festival Druga Godba, SI

05/26/09 Tue Nattjazz Bergen, NO

05/29/09 Fri Inntoene Festival Diersbach, AUS

05/30/09 Sat Africa Festival Wuerzburg, GER

05/31/09 Sun Musiques Metisses Angouleme, FRA

06/20/09 Sat Afro Latino Festival Bree, BEL

06/21/09 Sun Mundial Festival Tilburg, NL

06/27/09 Sat Jazz Vienne Vienne, FRA

06/30/09 Tue Basilica Of St Denis St Denis, FRA

07/02/09 Thu Millennium Park Chicago, IL

07/03/09 Fri Caramoor Katonah, NY (w/ Bela Fleck)

07/04/09 Sat Cityfolk Festival Dayton, OH

07/05/09 Sun Central Park SummerStage New York, NY (w/ Les Nubians)

07/05/09 Sun Summerstage Binghamton, NY (w/ Bela Fleck)

07/06/09 Mon Stone Mountain Arts Center Brownfield, ME (w/ Bela Fleck)

07/08/09 Wed Montreal Jazz Fest Montreal, QC

07/09/09 Thu Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest Ottawa, ON

07/10/09 Fri Winnipeg Folk Festival Winnipeg, MB

07/11/09 Sat Winnipeg Folk Festival Winnipeg, MB

07/12/09 Sun Queen's Park Toronto, ON

07/15/09 Wed Quebec City International Festival Quebec City, QC (w/ Bela Fleck)

07/17/09 Fri Festivus for the Restivus (Manifestivus) Cabot, VT

07/18/09 Sat Finger Lakes GrassRoots Festival Trumansburg, NY

07/18/09 Sat Grass Roots Festival Trumansburg, NY (w/ Bela Fleck)

07/24/09 Fri La Mar De Musicas Cartagena, COL

07/25/09 Sat WOMAD Festival Wiltshire, GB

08/02/09 Sun Cambridge Folk Festival Cambidge, GB

08/28/09 Fri Helsinki Festival Helsinki, FI

08/30/09 Sun Festival Of World Cultures Dun Laoghaire Co Dublin, IR

09/01/09 Tue Vidor Festival Vidor, HU

09/03/09 Thu House Of World Cultures Berlin, GER

10/22/09 Thu Forest National Brussels, BEL

11/05/09 Thu World Music Festival Oslo, NO

11/06/09 Fri Stockholm Concert Hall Stockholm, SE

11/08/09 Sun Selam Gothemburg, SE

11/14/09 Sat centro cultural de belem Lisbon, POR