The Skirball Cultural Center presents a concert by Mauritanian musician Daby Toure, with guest artists Samba Laobe on bass and Thierry Moutoulatchimi on drums.

Thursday, August 7, 2008
8:00 PM - 9:30 PM
The Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90049

Born into a renowned musical family, Mauritania's Daby Touré formed the Touré Touré duo with his brother in 1992 and has since launched a thriving solo career. He has matured into an outstanding multi-instrumentalist, crafting a sound inspired by Western pop and jazz while carrying on the tradition of his father and uncles' beloved ensemble, Touré Kunda.

More about Daby Touré
Daby Touré grew up in Mauritania in the village of Djeole, where he soaked up the language, culture, and music of his Soninke people, as well as of the neighboring Toucouleur and Wolof peoples. As a child, he would get together with friends to bang out rhythms on old tins, canisters, and cardboard boxes and entertain the village. Later, Touré moved to the capital city of Nouakchott where he discovered the exotic joys of Western pop music such as The Police, Dire Straits, Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson.

In 1989, political unrest and ethnic conflict made life in Mauritania very difficult, and Touré moved to Paris with his father, Hamidou, who had been invited to be a part of his brothers' musical group, Touré Kunda. The rich musical life of Paris was a revelation to the eighteen-year-old Touré, and he began to play small gigs at bars and college parties with rock and cover bands. He later formed the group Touré Touré with his cousin Omar, and the duo began to explore the common frontiers of jazz, pop, and African music. Their debut album, Laddé (1999), found international success and yielded the hit song "Yorro." However, despite the critical acclaim of the album, and subsequent tour in France and abroad, Touré was dissatisfied with the band's progress and moved on to pursue a solo career.  

Locking himself away in his room with home-studio equipment, he began to write and arrange songs. After several years of hard work, Touré teamed up with electronica musician and digital wizard Cyrille Dufay to develop the music further. The result was the album Diam (2004), released on Real World Records, Peter Gabriel's label. On this album, Touré sings of relationships, his family, freedom, and, above all, the importance of being positive when times are hard. Diam earned him a BBC "Best Newcomer" award nomination.

On his second solo release, Stereo Spirit (also on Real World and released in April 2008), Touré played all of the instruments. With vocals in five languages, the album was praised by the BBC as "a glorious fusion" of African and European elements and "a testament to the power of music to transcend linguistic barriers." Earlier this year Touré supported Peter Gabriel on a European tour, playing music that retains its African qualities while forging ahead with the singer/songwriter's signature blend of pop fusion.

At the Skirball, Touré will be joined by Samba Laobé on bass and Thierry Moutoulatchimi on drums.

This concert is part of the Sunset Concert Series at the Skirball.  Go to the event to hear a sample of Daby Toure's music and to hear a podcast.

Carpooling encouraged; or take Metro Rapid Bus 761. Doors open at 7 PM; seating is first come, first served (recommended you arrive early).

Cost : Free and open to the public; parking $10 per car, or $5 for cars carrying three or more people (cash only).

www.skirball.org

Sponsor(s): The Skirball Cultural Center. Information about non-ASC events is posted for informational purposes and does not necessarily reflect opinions of or endorsements by African Studies personnel.