By Daily Press staff
Tonight’s free concert at the Santa Monica Pier features multiple Grammy-nominee Salif Keita.
Known as the “Golden Voice of Mali,” Keita fuses traditional African music with contemporary funk, rap and pop.
Born in Mali, Keita’s light skin was considered “bad luck,” and he was shunned by his family and community. However, by 1967, Keita was playing in clubs and in 1973 he joined a locally popular band known as the Les Ambassadeurs.
As his reputation extended beyond Mali’s borders, Keita was recognized by President Ahmed Sekou Toure. Keita composed “Mandjou,” which tells the history of the Mali people and praises the president.
After leaving Mali in the mid 1970s due to political unrest, Keita settled in 1984 in Paris, where he now lives.
South African national Vusi Mahlasela, whose words and music deal with the struggle against apartheid, will open for Keita.
Mahlasela was a seasoned performer by the age of 17.
Combining his unique poetic voice with African and jazz influences, Mahlasela’s songs speak to the struggles of South Africans against violence, political unrest and suffering.
Mahlasela’s music was part of Nelson Mandela’s inauguration celebration and he has been featured on many compilation albums, including Red Cross fundraising CDs and the Oscar-nominated “Mandela” soundtrack.
Tonight’s concert runs from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the parking deck of the Santa Monica Pier.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on July 31, 2003. Read the original PDF.