African Guitar Summit
Encyclopedia
African Guitar Summit is a group of nine Canadian
musicians, all of African origin, who gathered in Toronto
to participate in a unique project for CBC Radio’s On Stage program.
From Guinea, Juno Award winner Alpha Yaya Diallo
brought the smooth fire of his guitar style, as well as Naby Camara on balafon; from Ghana, the elder master of the guitar, Pa Joe, with golden voice Theo Yaw Boakye, and the heartbeat of drummer Kofi Ackah; from Kenya, the Fiesta guitar of Professor Adam Solomon; from Burundi/Rwanda, the bluesy Mighty Popo; and from Madagascar the quicksilver guitars and harmonies of Donné Robert and multiple Juno Award winner Madagascar Slim
. The producer of African Guitar Summit is Todd Fraracci.
In three days they created a band, rehearsing and arranging, sharing stories and experiences. On the fourth day the group debuted in a concert at CBC’s Glenn Gould Studio. It was a magical evening that will be long remembered by everyone who was there, full of dazzling individual showcases and electrifying collaborations. The following three days were spent in CBC Studio 211 recording their self-titled CD. Everything was recorded live off the floor, in one or two takes.
African Guitar Summit was released on CBC Records in November 2004, and went on to win the Juno Award
for World Music Album of the Year
. The group performed a stunning version of Mwembo at the Juno Awards Gala in Winnipeg, April 2, 2005. They have since toured across Canada,including a performance at the Live 8
concert in Barrie, near Toronto.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
musicians, all of African origin, who gathered in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
to participate in a unique project for CBC Radio’s On Stage program.
From Guinea, Juno Award winner Alpha Yaya Diallo
Alpha Yaya Diallo
Alpha Yaya Diallo is a guitarist and composer who is based in Vancouver, Canada. Alpha hails from Guinea and incorporates its rich musical tradition into his original compositions.-Discography:* 1993 Néné - nominated for a Juno Award...
brought the smooth fire of his guitar style, as well as Naby Camara on balafon; from Ghana, the elder master of the guitar, Pa Joe, with golden voice Theo Yaw Boakye, and the heartbeat of drummer Kofi Ackah; from Kenya, the Fiesta guitar of Professor Adam Solomon; from Burundi/Rwanda, the bluesy Mighty Popo; and from Madagascar the quicksilver guitars and harmonies of Donné Robert and multiple Juno Award winner Madagascar Slim
Madagascar Slim
Randriamananjara Radofa Besata Jean Longin is a Canadian-Malagasy folk and blues guitarist, who records and performs under the stage name Madagascar Slim...
. The producer of African Guitar Summit is Todd Fraracci.
In three days they created a band, rehearsing and arranging, sharing stories and experiences. On the fourth day the group debuted in a concert at CBC’s Glenn Gould Studio. It was a magical evening that will be long remembered by everyone who was there, full of dazzling individual showcases and electrifying collaborations. The following three days were spent in CBC Studio 211 recording their self-titled CD. Everything was recorded live off the floor, in one or two takes.
African Guitar Summit was released on CBC Records in November 2004, and went on to win the Juno Award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
for World Music Album of the Year
Juno Award for World Music Album of the Year
The Juno Award for "World Music Album of the Year" has been awarded since 1992, as recognition each year for the best world music album in Canada...
. The group performed a stunning version of Mwembo at the Juno Awards Gala in Winnipeg, April 2, 2005. They have since toured across Canada,including a performance at the Live 8
Live 8
Live 8 was a string of benefit concerts that took place on 2 July 2005, in the G8 states and in South Africa. They were timed to precede the G8 Conference and summit held at the Gleneagles Hotel in Auchterarder, Scotland from 6–8 July 2005; they also coincided with the 20th anniversary of Live Aid...
concert in Barrie, near Toronto.
Discography
- African Guitar Summit (Vol 1 CD) (November 2, 2004)
- African Guitar Summit II (CD) (September 26, 2006)