Afel Bocoum

Afel Bocoum is among the last of a breakthrough generation of African musicians who were the first to cross-pollinate their own traditional music with the new sounds that arrived from all over the world throughout the 20th century. At Grounds, the Malian singer and guitarist will take us on a magical and introspective journey through his career.

From an early age, Bocoum became captivated by the music his father played on the njarka (one-string violin) and njurkel (small lute) in a style known as Seygalare; it immediately inspired Bocoum’s own take on desert blues. Bocoum’s music rolls and rocks, graceful, unforced and minimal by design, and his message – in the face of an uncertain and turbulent world, and a homeland struggling with jihad, poverty and tribal war – urges hope, solidarity and unity. Many of his songs address the need for social justice in his country and speak of music’s historic role in the Sahel region as a means of disseminating information.

At the age of 13, he was recruited into the band of Ali Farka Touré, the doyen of desert blues guitarist-singers, with whom he composed many songs and performed extensively. His debut album ‘Alkibar’ (1999, World Circuit) propelled him to international recognition, leading him to work with Damon Albarn & Toumani Diabaté on 2002’s Mali Music, as well as contributing regularly to the famed Africa Express projects, and collaborating with Bela Fleck, Habib Koité, Bassekou Kouyaté and many others.

His last album, Lindé, released in 2020, is a remarkable blend of deep tradition and audacious innovation. With the support of executive producers Damon Albarn & Nick Gold, Lindé stitches together the age-old music of the Niger bend, featuring performances from eminent musicians like Tony Allen, Vin Gordon, and Madou Diabaté.