Gig Alerts: Mandingo Ambassadors

By
Alana Harper
Music Hub | Dec 23, 2009

Mandingo Ambassadors
"Keme Bourema"
Playing at: Barbes (376 9th St., Park Slope)
Get: Tickets ($10 at door) | Directions

Every Wednesday at Barbes, the Mandingo Ambassadors bring the sound of liberated Guinea to Brooklyn. After the West African country won its independence from France in the 1950s, many bands across Guinea began performing modern arrangements of songs of the Mandingo (or Mandinka) people, one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. The Mandingo Ambassadors, an 8-piece collective made up of Guinea natives and Americans, play celebratory music that can best be described as Guinea big-band. Sets include a mixture of instrumental songs, such as "Keme Bourema," and melodies sung by Ismael Kouyate, a vocalist and dancer who's also performing in the Broadway musical Fela!.

Profile Image
Alana Harper

WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations

Top Stories

Are Waymo robotaxis actually safer than NYC Uber and taxi drivers?

A new analysis concludes Waymos were involved in more serious crashes per mile than the city’s for-hire fleet.
Gothamist |

Summer Friday: Health & Ultraprocessed Food & America's History with God

For this Summer Friday, some favorite recent interviews, including our annual 'health convening' on ultraprocessed foods and Ilan Stavans on America's history with religious belief
The Brian Lehrer Show |

How Socialist Is the D.S.A.? Megan Romer Explains

Romer, a co-chair of the Democratic Socialists of America, defends some of the D.S.A.’s controversial positions: “I think people like us being rather bold. . . . People want a fighter.”
The New Yorker Radio Hour |

American History Fridays: Lady Bird Johnson

All Of It with Alison Stewart |
YOU ARE ONLINE