Afrobeat

This second installment of the exhilarating musical journey to Acoustic Africa focuses on the richness of the African guitar tradition. Tonight's show features Habib Koité, the Malian superstar whose exciting concerts have endeared him to audiences worldwide, Oliver Mtukudzi, the best-selling artist in his home country of Zimbabwe, and Afel Bocoum, a guitarist, singer, and composer from Mali whose songs evoke the evolution of traditional Malian society.

Tickets go on sale at noon Fri Aug 13 from the Cedar Ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2), from hard-working Cedar volunteers in the front lobby during shows, from Cedar outlets (Electric Fetus, Irish on Grand, Homestead Pickin' Parlor, and Depth of Field), and online at Ticketweb.

“There is no question that Tony Allen is a genius, one of the greatest percussionists in the history of popular music.” —Guardian

Sierra Leone’s Refugee All Stars started playing music together in West African refugee camps while their homeland was racked by years of bloody warfare. Since then, audiences around the world have embraced the band and their utterly extraordinary story. On their latest album, Rise & Shine (Cumbancha, March 2010), the All Stars’ sound, as well as their biography, evolves further; the music finds them “establishing an identity based as much on skill, imagination and charisma as on their undeniably touching story” (The Los Angeles Times).

With media attention fluttering around Broadway’s debut of the new musical FELA!, co-produced by Jay-Z and Will Smith, the spotlight on afrobeat music has never been brighter. This is good news for Chicago Afrobeat Project who, after celebrating its 7th year on the music scene, returns to Minneapolis for one pulsating night of deep-beat dance and funk. Read more »

Born Sunday Adeniyi, King Sunny Ade has been perfecting his Nigerian juju beats for more than four decades and achieved legendary status. The son of a church organist, Ade knew from a young age that music was his life's passion. He left grammar school in the 1960s, started a band and hasn't looked back since. He's played in many groups over the years and founded his own label. Read more »