Les Ambassadeurs Live - 26.07.14

Les Ambassadeurs is originally a big band from Mali, formed in the early 1970s and led by Salif Keita, who took part into the new wave of African bands who paved the way for the worldbeat explosion of the late '80s.

The Bamako-based Ambassadeurs began to really make things happen in 1973, when Salif Keita – then star of the Rail Band – joined the band and gave him space to perform jazz, Latin-American and European forms as well as traditional music. 

For audiences at the time, it was a revelation. Cheick Tidiane Seck was also part of the story. He was both in the Rail Band and Les Ambassadeurs as keyboardist. He was one of the mainstays of the bands. He introduced Amadou Bagayoko to Manfila in 1974. Manfila was supposed 'to teach him the musette waltzes, tangos and paso doble', said Cheick. This led the visually impaired guitarist to become a member of Les Ambassadeurs, well before breaking through on the world stage with the duo Amadou & Mariam.

The band
Salif Keita lead vocal
Cheick Tidiane Seck keyboard
Idrissa Soumaoro keyboard
Ousmane Kouyate lead guitar
Amadou Bagayoko rhythm guitar
Sekou Diabate bass
Mahamadou Bakayoko (Pacheco) drum
Modibo Kone percussion
Mamadou Kone (Prince) calebasse
Samake Harouna n'goni
Dante Aminata backing vocal
Bah Kouyate backing vocal

27 July 2014 at 3:30am - 27 July 2014 at 7:00am

Barbican Contemporary Music Barbican Centre, Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS London,

Price: £20 - £30 + BF

Ticket: http://www.barbican.org.uk/music/event-detail.asp?ID=16511