A Taste of Ana Moura - Coming Up April 5 2013

Ana Moura in Concert
April 5 - 7:30pm
McIntyre Performing Arts Centre
135 Fennel Ave W.
Hamilton, ON
Canada

• Get tickets online here

Here's a taste of what's coming up very soon:

Portuguese Fado star Ana Moura's video for the song Até ao Verão (music & lyrics by Márcia Santos) from the album Desfado - just released in late 2012.

Whether you're already a fan of fado or not, you'll appreciate her superb vocals on this song.

Hamilton Youth Steelpan Orchestra - April 7 2013

Hamilton Youth Steelpan Orchestra
Hy Tea Party

April 7, 2013
1:30-4:00pm
Tickets $15
Call 905-296-8312
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Worker's Arts & Heritage Centre
51 Stuart Street, Hamilton, ON

Here at Matapa Music & Arts Organization, we were blown away by the Hamilton Youth Steelpan Orchestra when they played for the opening launch party of our Roots en Route Festival just last month.

You can enjoy more of their music at an event they're planning soon. Join the HYSO for an afternoon of tea, goodies and music April 7.

What Is Fado? (Ana Moura April 5 2013)

What Is Fado?

Matapa Music & Arts Organization Presents:
International Recording Star Ana Moura in Concert
April 5, 2013
at the McIntyre Performing Arts Centre
Mohawk College - Hamilton, Ontario

• Get Tickets Here

Fado is Portugal's gift to the world of music, a unique vocal and musical style that is an internationally recognized treasure; on November 27, 2011 Fado was inscribed in the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists.

Its origins are uncertain but known to trace back through centuries of Portugal's mix of cultures. Many scholars believe that its roots lie in the songs of the Moors who stayed in the area of Lisbon even after it was recaptured by Christian knights during the Crusades. Others believe it began to develop more properly with the arrival of Brazilian slaves to the city of Lisbon in the 1820's. Amália da Piedade Rodrigues - (1920-1999 known as the Queen of Fado - sang a song, called "The Black Boat", which talks about a senzala (a place where the slaves were kept). Thematically, others have also pointed out its links to the medieval culture of minstrels and traveling musicians and their songs of love and political satire.

In Lisbon and Porto, two of the major scenes for Fado, the classic symbols of the art form are the black shawl and a Portuguese guitar and traditionally, Fado singers did wear black, in keeping with its often sad and bluesy mood. Whether it came from occupied Moors, Brazilian slaves or the rigors of medieval life, Fado is characterized by a melancholic style and delivery. The name itself comes from the Latin fatum, meaning fate - but this is the kind of destiny and fate over which you have no control and which most often brings you what you didn't want. Its heart talks about the inescapable nature of that destiny and of the triumph of passion over reason. Songs often talked about the mercurial sea, poverty, lost love and death.

Fado became even more popular with the innovation of the radio in the 20th century. After political upheaval and the 1974 Revolution in Portugal, it began to truly take its place in the lexicon of popular music and in the last 20 years, has taken its rightful place in the international stage, becoming a favourite with audiences the world over.

Ana Moura is one of a young generation of Fado singers. Some of the other major names in Fado include Amália Rodrigues, Carlos do Carmo, Mariza, Mafalda Arnauth and Cristina Branco.

Zal Sissokho Last Night (February 23)

Zal Sissohko
with Mohamed N'Diaye
in concert at the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts
February 23, 2013

Senegalese griot Zal Sissokho mesmerized audiences of kids and adults alike yesterday with his playing and charmed them with his smiling personality.

Here is a taste of first the children's workshop in the afternoon:

The concert later in the evening, with Guinean multi-instrumentalist Mohamed N'Diaye. The two of them played together in way that you could only describe as seamless and amazing - in the true sense of the word.

Tich Maredza at Artword Artbar

Tich Maredza Band at Artword Artbar
Earlier tonight (February 21, 2013)

Here's a taste of what you missed if you weren't there with us earlier tonight at Artword Artbar for music (and some conversation too). L-R: Larry Lewis (guitar), Tich Maredza (guitar, vocals, composer), Sam Petite (upright bass).

• Tich and the band are in the process of recording an album. If you'd like to support their efforts - let us know.

Zal Sissokho - February 23 as part of Roots en Route

Zal Sissokho
at the Hamilton Conservatory for the Arts

Tickets on sale online

A Closer Look at this Artist:

Not all West African musicians are griots, the conveyers of the oral traditions of the Kouyaté, Diabaté and Sissokho castes, the three major family groups that continue to hand down the memory of the Mandingo peoples. Others such as Gaolo warriors are often mistakenly ennobled, here in Canada, with the title of griot.

Be that as it may, Zal Idrissa Sissokho has not only the name but also the traditions and background of this culture, in addition to an incredible talent for improvisation. Zal plays the kora and sings melodies, in both the Malinke and Wolof languages, that are inspired by or that borrow from the traditions of West Africa. He arrived in Montreal in 1999, and received a professional development grant from the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec in 2001. Zal Idrissa Sissokho very quickly established a solid reputation on the Montreal music scene. He performs solo and also with many different groups such as Les frères Diouf, Fakhass Sico, Lilison di Kinara, Takatja and Muna Mingole, and has played on the albums of IKS, Hart Rouge, Lousnak and Les frères Diouf.

In 2004 Zal formed the Afro-Mandingo group Buntalo, whose name refers to the crystal-clear sound of the kora, which charms the ear from the very first note. This 21-string African harp blends magnificently with contemporary Western music, which is why Buntalo, whose repertoire includes original compositions and Mandingo classics sung in Malinke and Wolof, presents a modern sound while preserving the authenticity of these centuries-old pieces.

Zal released his latest CD, le Partage in 2012.

Here's a video to check out:

Tich Maredza Band - February 21, 2013

Tich Maredza
February 21, 2013
at ARTWORD Artbar
7:30pm

• Tickets available at the venue

Swooping down from the vast Zimbabwean plains, Tichaona Daniel Maredza, a guitar in one hand, a drum in the other, and an mbira in his teeth, arrived in Toronto in 2008. Singer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, he quickly formed a group in December 2009. The Tich Maredza Band hit the circuit hard, veterans in a matter of months.

Tich's music, while rooted in Zimbabwean traditional styles, has a contemporary flair with vital drive and melodic intelligence. Indoors, outdoors, concert hall or dance hall, The Tich Maredza Band puts smiles on faces and feet on the floor. Two Zimbabweans, two US expats, and one Colombian make up this polyrhythmic Toronto ensemble of drums and guitars. Narrated and sung in Shona and English, Tich's music chronicles the struggles and triumphs of his journey, in music and life.

While the TMB is presently working on honing material for a new album entitled "The Journey." Tich has released two previous albums, "Eternity Music Volume One," recorded in Australia, and "Ndinzweiwo," recorded in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Tich has shared the stage with and opened for Oliver Mtukudzi and the late Samson Mtukudzi several times in the US and Canada and played with Thomas Mapfumo in Toronto in 2011. He draws inspiration from their leadership and music. You'll find the Tich Maredza Band on Facebook, Myspace, and YouTube.

An Evening with John Ellison

Music & Memories with John Ellison
Some Kind of Wonderful: The John Ellison Story
co-written with Jon Wells

The Worker's Arts & Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario
February 18, 2013

• the book is available in Kindle version on Amazon.ca
• In paperback
• John Ellison's music on iTunes
• Available locally at Bryan Prince Bookseller (1060 King Street West, Hamilton)

John Ellison's life story is one marked by struggles and marred by racism but he emerged last night as a warm and gifted performer. He went effortlessly from sharing stories from his life to playing with a delicacy and subtle touch. If you liked him before, you came out of the evening a real fan and if you're not familiar with his work you need to check it out.

Matapa President Sharlee Reimer with opening remarks.



John Ellison

With our Executive Director Filimone Mabjaia

John talks about how he wrote that huge hit and plays a bit for us:

Wesli - Pics & Video

Wesli
February 17, 2013
Part of the Roots en Route Festival

In the afternoon, Wesli led a kids & parents drumming circle as part of a free workshop at the Hamilton Conservatory for the arts.

Later in the evening, he wowed a full house with his high energy brand of Haitian roots/Afrobeat/reggae/funk, a blend that he makes uniquely his own. He's a dazzling guitarist and accompanied only by a drummer and dancer/vocalist, they produced a full sound and had everyone dancing in front of the stage.

John Ellison - Music & Memories

John Ellison - Music & Memories
with co-author Jon Wells
Monday, February 18, 2013
co-presented with Bryan Prince Bookseller at the Workers Arts & Heritage Centre - 51 Stuart Street, Hamilton

a FREE event

Born in a poor coal mining village in West Virginia, John Ellison is probably best known for that pop-rock classic, 'Some Kind of Wonderful'. He's been a professional musician since the 1960's, his big hit has been recorded by over 50 different artists.

He was a member of the South Brothers Six until they broke up in the 1970's and has continued to record and perform as a solo act. He received his Canadian citizenship in 2006 is and now a dual citizen of Canada and the U.S. and now makes Hamilton his home. He has won Hamilton Music Awards and the ArcelorMittal Dofasco Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.

He wrote his autobiography with writer Jon Wells and "Some Kind of Wonderful: The John Ellison Story" was released in July 2012. His story delves into the racism and violence he encountered in his life alongwith his songwriting process.

Join us for an evening of music and memories.