Bombino is featured on the latest episode of the BBC World Service program Outlook, which explores "extraordinary personal stories from around the world." "Traditional music is one of the forces which has united the Tuareg people who are now scattered across many African countries," says host Matthew Bannister, "and that music has been updated for a new generation by the guitarist Omara 'Bombino' Moctar." On the show, Bombino discusses the power of music to affect change. "I hope my songs can present part of a solution," he says. "The guitar can pass on the news."
Bombino is featured on the latest episode of the BBC World Service program Outlook, which explores "extraordinary personal stories from around the world." The Tuareg singer/songwriter/guitarist spoke with the program while in the UK last week for a performance of songs from his Nonesuch debut album, Nomad, at London's Village Underground to which the Guardian gave four stars.
"Traditional music is one of the forces which has united the Tuareg people who are now scattered across many African countries," says host Matthew Bannister in his introduction, "and that music has been updated for a new generation by the guitarist Omara 'Bombino' Moctar."
Bombino begins with the story of how he first discovered the guitar while a teenage refugee. He goes on to express his hopes for the power of music to affect change, the challenging truths that Tuareg songs can speak to power, and the positive results that can come from expressing them.
"I hope my songs can present part of a solution," says Bomino. "The guitar can pass on the news."
You can listen to the complete program at bbc.co.uk; Bombino's seven-minute segment begins at 37 minutes in.
Bombino and his band continue their European tour with performances in Spain, Belgium, and Germany in the days ahead. They head to the States at the end of May for a tour that includes headline dates, festival sets, and opening spots with Amadou & Mariam, Gogol Bordello and Robert Plant. For details and ticket links, visit nonesuch.com/on-tour.
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