Thanks to magnificient groundwork from the Malian partners, Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers Multimédia
Balla Fasséké Kouyaté (CAMM)in Koulouba, Bamako & Institut National des Arts (I.N.A.)in the centre of the capital, as well as Danish partners like The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus/Aalborg, Isabelle Replumaz & Pauline Patoux ofConservatoire National Supérieur Musique et Danse Lyon (CNSMD), Spot Festival & Det Turkise Teltin Aarhus, Denmark, The Danish Embassyin Bamako - as well as individuals like Danish ambassador Winnie Estrup Petersenand souschef Marianne Kress, Moussa Diallo, Aly Castro Traoré, Oumar Barou Diallo& Keld Hosbondand all the volunteers. Plus of course the artists and our special partner, Maison des Jeunes. Thank you all very much.
This year's artists were:
Fama Diabaté - the 12 year old wonder on magnificent vocals and balafon mesmerized everybody.
I.N.A. Star - an institution through many years gave us a taste of just how much the level has improved with this present generation. Hats off for I.N.A.!!
M'Bouillé & D-Music - superstars of tomorrow! First M'Bouillé Koitécame back to Spot On Mali Music with a magnificent solo performance, and then came the current Malian superstar, Sidiki Diabaté, with his kora of lightning speed and soaring vocals and proved, why he is the next great thing from Mali. An amazing Spot On Mali Music moment!
Dabara - balafon galore and deep resonating vocals and comments, which blew us away and made Malians cry from laughter. Tradition with a wonderful drive and a conquerer ready for the world scenes.
Tima Maïga - a student of I.N.A., Fatima "Tima" Maïga has made a giant leap and presented a sweet and fresh set with psychedelic undertones. A solo artist with inspirations pointing at Fatoumata Diawara and Rokia Traoré and yet her own showed great promise.
Oumou Diarra - huge voice with a rasping insistence she has taken her native Mali by storm. Her set was a revelation and we are proud to have presented this great singer and personality.
Keltoum - one of the founders of world act Tinariwen, Keltoum who is an artist, poet and strong supporter of the rights of her Tamachek people in Kidal. Back with her own group she brought a whiff of the Sahara as well as a solid portion of feminism. We loved it!
Diamy Sacko - sister of Ami Sackothe roots are in Kayes, yet she sounds nothing like her sister or the band of Bassekou Kouyate. A strong voice and a presence on stage, which was more Manding and in touch with the true Malian divas, Diamy showed great promise.
Faratuben - made us proud. The fusion of Danish students studying at CAMM in Bamako and their Malian friends, they took fusion in new directions incorporating music and dance and creating a party. The name by the way consists of the bambara words Farafin (black) and Toubarbou (white). Fabulous!
CAMM Band feat. CHEICK TIDIANE SECK - a special treat, where Malian world jazzman, producer and songwriter, Cheick Tidiane Seck, came back and together with a group of the best students of CAMM recreated the Manding Jazz og both his New York days and the historic times at Buffet de la Gare and Rail Band. An amazing concert with one of Mali's most revered musicians.
Marjo Smolander & Angmar - she is Finnish and plays the traditional kantele, a special harp, with kinship with the Manding kora. Smolander who is also a former student at CAMM and Finland's Sibelius Academy, gave a concert with her tamachek friends, which only was cut short by electric problems.
Doussou Bagayoko- a coming superstar and daughter of the diva of Bougouni, the great Nahawa Doumbia. Doussou who flew in from Paris gave us a show, that took everybody to their toes and displayed enough of her mother's trademark voice to impress. Look out for Doussou Bagayoko.