A big band from Berlin travels to Mali to experience the legendary Malian musicians of the ’70s. That is the amazing genesis of The Omniversal Earkestra and the Le Mali 70 project. The Omniversal Earkestra is a big band from Berlin, consisting of 12 brass musicians, accompanied by bass and drums, who have made a name by gigging almost weekly for eight years now in their hometown Berlin.
Their program consists of an eclectic mixture of compositions by huge influences such Duke Ellington, Sun Ra, and Fela Kuti, to which the group adds their own songs. Also exploring the music of the by now legendary Mali-based big bands of the ’70s such as the Railband, it became clear to the group’s members that a trip to Mali would be necessary to meet the old masters. Supported by the TURN culture fond, the Omniversal Earkestra made its pilgrimage to Mali where they met legendary artists such as Cheick Tidiane Seck, Sory Bamba, Abdoulaye Diabaté, and Salif Keita.
Traveling all of Mali they visited the homes of by now almost forgotten bands such as Mystère Jazz de Tombouctou, Der Kanaga de Mopti, Super Bitons de Segou, and the Railband of Bamako. The results of this amazing trip are modern big band arrangements of old Mali songs that were recorded at the end of the road trip during an intense week in the Moffou studio together with Salif Keita. During the trip and the recording sessions, the group was joined by a film crew that documented the events. Live performances of The Omniversal Earkestra and Le Mali 70 now consist of live concert by the group and a showing of the movie of the same name.
The Omniversal Earkestra feat. Cheick Tidiane Seck, Mariam Kone & Aly Këita
11.8.2021 | Doors 20:00 CET | Starts 21:00 CET
Kesselhaus Kulturbrauerei | Schönhauser Allee 36 in 10435 Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg
Image: Trikont
