Performance Times
7.30pm, Saturday
Lakeview
Overview
Moussa Diakite is a guitarist, singer and composer born in Mali, now based in Western Sydney. His style is derived from the “Wassoulou” style of music from Bougouni area of Mali, fused with elements of Malian, Congolese, Highlife, Afro Beat, Cuban, Blues, and Jazz.
Moussa Diakite spent his foundational years in the iconic Afro-Latin “Rail Band” (also known as The Super Rail Band) from 1979 to 1983. They were one of the first bands to combine elements of Cuban, Congolese and Jazz with West African rhythms, melodies and instrumentation like the Kora and the Belafon. Moussa Diakite played with Grammy Award-winning Kora player, Toumani Diabate, and his live band from 1983 to 1987 in Mali and internationally before joining Salif Kieta's live band and joining him on multiple World Tours between 1990 – 1995.
Since moving to Australia in 1996, he has played with leading West African bands including Senegal and Guinean inspired band Keyin Ba and his own bands Badema and Wassado. Moussa’s current band Wassado features Junior Jones, Len Samperi, Phillipe Lincy and Patricia Alvarez. Moussa Diakite & Wassado, have played many Australian festivals, including Womadelaide 2018, Darwin Festival 2013 and, in 2019, we played at Bellingen Festival, Mullum Festival, Woodford Folk Festival and Illawarra Folk Festival
Diakite has recorded 3 albums while living in Australia. His first album “Doncomodja” was recorded in 2016 in Bamako, Mali with the two Australian musicians Ben Kitson (drums) and Simon Olsen (bass). Diakite was also joined by many of his friends in Mali, (West Africa) including Toumani Diabate, Bassekou Kouyate Djelimady Tounkara and Cheick Tidane helped complete this album.
The second album “Kanafo” was recorded in Sydney at Golden Retriever Studios. Diakite was joined by his band Wassado. Guest artistes included Bassidi Kone on Balafon, Oliver McGill on Keyboard(Cat Empire) and Stuart Fergie on Didgeridoo. Diakites third Album “Blue Magic” was recorded at Parliament Studios in Sydney with his band Wassado. It was then taken to Africa, where traditional West African instruments were added by some of Mali’s new up and coming musicians. This latest album is due to be released in September 2023.
Visit his web site.
Reviews
"Moussa Diakite an A list Axeman in West Africa, preforming in seminal collectives such as the Super Rail band and as sideman to legendary compatriot for Salif Keita and Toumani Diabate. His unique Malian -style guitar playing informed by the Wassoulou tradition of the countries southwest -has been instrumental in the development of Australia’s African Music scene.“ - Tony Hillier
(The Australian Album reviews- Doncomodja)
