Pioneers of Malian music (1)

This first post is dedicated to Daouda 'Flani' Sangaré, a friend and musical hero who died in Bamako on January 12, 2008 at the age of 63.

To some he is only known as the lead singer of the Super Djata Band from Bamako, Mali. Few know him as one of the pioneers of the kamelan n'goni music of Mali, which has become known around the world through singers like Oumou Sangare and Nahawa Doumbia. Later on I will post some biographic details of this remarkable singer and dancer.

Here is a clip of one of his last performances. I recorded it in Amsterdam, at the Tropenmuseum (on May 24, 2007), during a concert of Benkadi International with guitarist Zani Diabaté and Flani as special guests.

Flani was diagnosed as suffering from meningitis a few days later. He spent 3 months in a hospital in Groningen before returning to Bamako on August, 8. He sang at the marriage of the daughter of Dramane Diarra (ex-Rail Band & ex-Biton, playing drums in the video) in Bamako, at the end of December. Zani Diabaté informs me that in the first week of January the illness resurfaced, but Flani refused to consult a doctor....