Toubab Krewe

Toubab Krewe is an American instrumental band which fuses the music of Mali with American musical styles (particularly those of the Southern United States). The group's instrumentation includes kora (21-string harp-lute), "kamelengoni" (12-string harp-lute), "soku" (Malian horsehair fiddle), two electric guitars, electric bass guitar, drum set, and African percussion. The group, which is based in Asheville, North Carolina, was founded in early 2005 and has traveled to West Africa several times, working with local musicians. The band released their self-titled debut album in 2005, which was recorded by Steven Heller at Upstream Records in Asheville, North Carolina. The band is currently "finishing up" their sophomore album (again produced by Steven Heller). [ [http://www.toubabkrewe.com/tk_site.html Toubab Krewe Official Website] (accessed 2008-10-1)]

In several West African languages, including Bambara and Wolof, "Toubab" means "foreigner." "Krewe" is a reference to the New Orleans region's spelling of the word "Crew."

Live performances

Toubab Krewe has performed at some of the largest attended music festivals in the United States, including the Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee, MerleFest, MagnoliaFest, High Sierra Music Festival, 10,000 Lakes Festival, Vegoose, Lotus World Music and Art Festival among countless others. Toubab Krewe also performed in January 2007 at the Desert Music Festival in Essakane, Mali.

Members

*Teal Brown - drum set
*Drew Heller - electric guitar and "soku"
*Justin Perkins - kora, "kamelengoni", and electric guitar
*David Pransky - electric bass guitar
*Luke Quaranta - percussion

External links

* [http://www.toubabkrewe.com/ Toubab Krewe's Official Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/toubabkrewe Toubab Krewe on MySpace]
* [http://cdbaby.com/cd/toubabkrewe Purchase Toubab Krewe's Debut CD]
* [http://www.archive.org/details/ToubabKrewe Download Live Toubab Krewe Performances]
* [http://www.jambands.com/Features/content_2006_12_22.04.phtml Toubab Krewe Interview]
* [http://www.afropop.org/multi/feature/ID/714/Toubab%20Krewes%20Adventure%20in%20Mali:%202007 Toubab Krewe at the Festival of the Desert in Mali]
* [http://www.honesttune.com/content/view/1064/49/ Toubab Krewe: Somewhere Between Worlds] By Tim Newby, from HonestTune.com.

Notes