Djan Djan

One of the things I like about Brisbane is the opportunity to hear music I wouldn't ordinarily hear in New York. Not that it's not there, but that it gets lost amid the multitude of concerts that are available each night, many of which I only hear about in retrospect, if at all. One such example is Djan Djan, which Nora and I heard at the Judith Wright Centre on Friday night. Djan Djan is a trio of musicians consisting of Malian kora master Mamadou Diabate (who recently won a Grammy), Indian tabla player Bobby Singh, and Australian blues guitarist Jeff Lang (playing acoustic lapsteel). The collaboration, which began several years ago, respects their individual cultural backgrounds and traditions, while, at the same time, combines them into a unique “world” sound that, if the audience reactions are any indication, is nothing short of intoxicating. Because while those of us raised in the Western classical tradition sat and nodded approvingly, others bobbed, weaved, and swayed in almost trance-like gyrations. Certainly, everybody had a grand old time.

For those who are unsure, the kora is a 21-stringed West African instrument, held vertically between the legs and played like a harp. From where I was sitting it looked as if Diabate was playing it with the first two fingers of each hand while supporting it with the other fingers wrapped around vertical posts. But the flurries of notes he produced belied that; if you shut your eyes you could imagine he was using all ten, if not more. Diabate is a member of the Mandinka West African jeli (musician caste) family and his musical lineage goes back seven centuries. Certainly, the kora, in his hands, was the first among equals this particular night, and I expect all others as well. Djan Djan is in the midst of an Australian tour at the moment, so if they come your way don't miss them.