Press Release:
Mali "Guitar God" headlines Frome Festival
Two Frome Festival organisers have pulled off one of the biggest music coups this year.
Stuart Grant and Nicki Marshall have convinced Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Touré to play his first full UK gig in Frome.
Son of the late Malian legend Ali Farka Touré , he will perform with his own band and Frome's Pee Wee Ellis at the Cheese & Grain on Sunday 8 July.
The festival will bring over Vieux with the other band members to perform the festival's headline event. BBC Radio 3 plans to record Vieux during his visit.
It took months of negotiations by Grant and Marshall to secure the world exclusive for the festival.
Marshall said: "Stuart spotted his potential and knew how big he would become. The Pee Wee link helped but it has been a mad few months. We're really excited that he has finally confirmed.
"It has been wonderful to make new contacts with music labels. It lays a good foundation for signing other big acts for future festivals."
Festival director Martin Bax ranked the gig as one of the biggest music coups of the festival's seven-year history.
Bax said: "Stuart and Nicki deserve a big pat on the back. It's another first for the Frome Festival."
Vieux said he felt honoured to play in Frome on the same stage as Pee Wee Ellis.
"Pee Wee played with my father and the two had an important bond. He is a master. There is much he can teach me. Although no-one can know what to expect from our collaboration, it is sure to be magic.
"I am also glad that I can bring my whole band because we have a unique sound. We are a high-energy group so I hope you are ready to dance!"
Pee Wee Ellis said the concert would be an occasion to celebrate and commemorate.
"Talk about full circle! In the past year, we have not only lost the great African bluesman Ali Farke Touré but also the man with whom I created funk, the Godfather of Soul, Mr James Brown. I feel blessed that I had the opportunity to work with them both.
"Now I'm excited to be part of the continuing heritage of both dynasties and the opportunity to work with Ali's son … and in Frome, my adopted UK home! The world gets smaller but the beat goes on."
Vieux released a self-titled debut solo album in February to universal critical acclaim. BluesRag critic Dennis Rozanski wrote: "Mali has a new guitar god and his name is Vieux Farka Tour é ."
Band member Eric Herman, head of Vieux's label Modiba Productions, said: "Vieux is one of the few examples of sons of legendary fathers who inherited the necessary magic to follow in their father's wake.
"He is an enormous talent on the guitar, his vocals are crisp and haunting, his song-writing is natural, gorgeous and original, and he has dynamite stage presence and charisma."
Vieux's father Ali Farka Tour é has been described as Africa 's John Lee Hooker', while filmmaker Martin Scorsese said his music represented "the DNA of the blues".
His best-known albums are Red and Green , which were remastered and released on a double album in 2004. He also collaborated with Ry Cooder on the album, Talking Timbuktu, and won two Grammies. He died of cancer in 2006.
Vieux grew up with an uncle on the banks of the River Niger. He started playing music when he rejoined his parents at the age of nine in the appropriately-named town of Niafunk é .
He proved to be a precocious talent, excelling as a drummer and calabash player. But his father mistrusted the music industry after years of bitter experience. He forbade Vieux to play music and ordered him to join the army. The family is descended from an ancient warrior tribe in northern Mali called the Arma.
True to the family nickname, Farka, which means 'donkey', Vieux defied his father and attended the National Institute of the Arts in Mali 's capital, Bamako , where he met kora player and mentor Toumani Diabat é, who had taught his father before him.
Diabaté agreed to play on the debut album, as did his father who plays lead guitar on two tracks, 'Tabara' and 'Diallo'.
Food from the African Safari Kitchen will be available on the night, with all profits going to the Mama Africa orphanage in Kenya.
The concert event is sponsored by BiscuitBox Ltd, Café La Strada, Raves from the Grave, Paslode® Spit, Red Star Frome and Anne Furniss.
Tickets cost £13.50 in advance and £16 on the door. The Festival Box Office at the Cheese and Grain, Frome, opens Monday 14 May at 9.30am. Pop in, or call 01373 455420.
Pee Wee Ellis - Official website - www.peewee-ellis.com
Vieux Farka Touré - Official website - www.vieuxfarkatoure.com
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