“Mariama” a programme with African music. Arafan Touré.
This year is it 50 years ago that Guinea became independent. It is also five years ago that Arafan Touré, one of the most virtuous and creative djembe players unexpectedly passed away at the age of 65. He played in Les Ballets Africains de la République de Guinée for 28 years and travelled seven times around the world with this company. Arafan played djembe and doundouns (bass drums), and composed and arranged various rhythms for this ensemble.
In 1986 he came to the Netherlands and created a furore in the groups Fatala and African Soli. He was an internationally respected teacher, an enthusiastic musician, unique for his timing, sound and creative richness. An inspiration for everyone who has worked with him.
In this hour recordings from CDs he participated in, special concert recordings and some fragments of lessons. Arafan was unique in performing solo on two djembe’s: one djembe with a high, fierce sound and a kind of bass djembe.
