Malian singer, songwriter, and guitarist
Rokia Traoré is no stranger to European audiences. Her three previous offerings and her numerous tours and high-level showcases -- at WOMAD and Africa Live, and as part of
Youssou N'Dour & Friends in Geneva, to name a few -- have garnered her a large and devoted fan base. Her music is not so well known in the United States, but with the release of
Tchamantché on Tama/Nonesuch, this should change.
Traoré has always been a tradition breaker. She is from a family of nobles of the Bamana ethic heritage, a group with a strong griot tradition, though its nobility are discouraged from being musicians. Also, Malian women who are musicians usually accompany themselves on acoustic rather than electric instruments.
Traoré, who has appeared on stages and recordings with her great influence, the late
Ali Farka Touré, plays an electric Gretsch.