Nuits d’Afrique Productions, in partnership with TD Bank Group, presents 5 exclusive concert-events to celebrate Black History Month and the effervescence of the international and local music scene. The program features 5 emotionally-charged evenings, highlighting the roots and rhythms of artists who use their art as a means of transmission to tell stories, take people on journeys and make them think.
Dalie Dandala (Congo) – February 2, 2025 – Club Balattou
Coming directly from Brazzaville-Congo to Montréal for the first time, Dalie Dandala is gearing up for her inaugural concert on February 2, at Club Balattou. This is a unique opportunity to discover her lively repertoire that seamlessly blends the traditional with the modern. Singer, songwriter, percussionist, dancer and actress, Dalie is a versatile artist who discovered music and theatre at the age of ten, first through the Evangelical Church of the Congo choir, after which she expanded her horizons with the William Branham Church choir. She later trained with the Compagnie Musée, where she honed her skills in percussion and folk dance. Since then, Dalie has worked with some of the Congo’s biggest names, including Zao, Oupta and Chervi Gambo.
Lerie Sankofa (Ivory Coast) – February 6, 2025 – Club Balattou
Lerie Sankofa will be performing her first Montréal concert on February 6, at Club Balattou. Lerie is an outstanding Ivorian musician whose musical journey began at the tender age of nine. Once introduced to drumming, she pursued her passion, becoming a brilliant percussionist and singer. She further honed her singing and percussion skills at the Institut National des Arts et de l’Action Culturelle (INSAAC). At the 2023 Jeux de la Francophonie, she dazzled audiences and judges alike, earning her the bronze medal in the Song category. While Lerie is about to release her debut album, her African cultural centre for the promotion of arts & culture, Sankofart Sum, reflects her commitment to passing on her knowledge and supporting the Ivorian artistic community.
JAB DJAB & MELLO G (Trinidad) – February 8, 2025 – Club Balattou
Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, these pioneers of Montréal’s world music scene are hot, hot, hot, just like the Merrymen’s hit that tops their repertoire. Their music bops from one Caribbean Island to another, with a touch of American pop thrown in for good measure. Much like the jab jab, a devilish TT carnival character, Jab Djab are entertainers. Dynamic, generous, playful and explosive, Jab Djab, whose music has featured in cult shows like Ugly Betty and Murder She Wrote, serves up a hearty menu of calypso, soca and fiery reggae. They released their latest album Spirit Move Ya! in 2021.
For this special concert, they will be joined by Mello G, a veteran of Montréal’s reggae scene, whose smooth soulful voice, reminiscent of Barry White, adds great warmth to his reggae melodies.
MADOU SIDIKI DIABATÉ’s tribute to TOUMANI DIABATÉ (Mali) – February 14, 2025 – Le Gesù
This coming February 14, Madou Sidiki Diabaté, who will be arriving directly from Mali, will pay special tribute to his late brother Toumani Diabaté during an exclusive concert at Le Gesù in Montréal. It promises to be an especially memorable evening for lovers of the kora, a traditional 21-string African harp. Toumani Diabaté, who was considered as one of the greatest masters of this quintessential West-African instrument, was also an international ambassador of Mandinka music. He was a true legend who artfully blended griot musical traditions with modern influences, securing his place in the history of world music.
Born in Bamako in the 1980s, Mamadou Sidiki Diabaté (known as Madou) is a Malian griot from a prestigious lineage of musicians, which includes his parents Sidiki Diabaté and Mariam Kouyaté, as well as his brother Toumani Diabaté. He was introduced to the kora and tamani at a very early age and, in 1991, he opened for his parents’ concert at Festival Africolor in Paris, launching his career on the international stage. He trained at Bamako’s Institut National des Arts (INA) and has collaborated with such artists as Salif Keita, Kandia Kouyaté and Babani Kone. In addition to his virtuosity as a traditional kora player, he is recognized as a pioneer of the Kora MIDI, opening up new horizons in West African music. – Buy your tickets !
Samba Touré (Mali) – February 28, 2025 – Club Balattou
Closing this year’s BHM event, is the legendary Malian guitarist, Samba Touré, notably Ali Farka Touré’s protégé and former guitarist, who will be serving up some desert blues and premiering his new album, Baarakelaw.. Captivated by the blending of traditional Malian music with North American blues, this singer, songwriter and guitarist went on to develop his own style. Samba’s lyrics convey moral messages while introducing us to various aspects of Malian culture. He dedicates his songs of tribute, dignity and respect, which are imbued with compassion and good-natured humour, to those who are too often overlooked or scorned. Although inspired by Malian society, the overall message of his latest album is a universal one. At the Balattou, Samba will be premiering the tracts from Baarakelaw, scheduled to be released January 24.
An event presented in collaboration with the TD Bank Group
Productions Nuits d’Afrique presents, in partnership with TD Bank Group, “ROOTS AND RHYTHMS“. A special program, offering 5 concert-events as part of Black History Month.
PARTENAIRES MÉDIAS