by Julie Moore | Feb 17, 2016 | music theory
A Suzuki Teacher on Western Theory in West Africa: When it rains in Sabalibougou (one of the poorest neighborhoods in Bamako, Mali, West Africa, the dirt roads turn to rivers. The open markets shut down; travel becomes nearly impossible. And I was traversing through...
by Julie Moore | Feb 17, 2016 | Culture, Jazz, Mande Music
When the peace of an entire nation is on the table, it seems almost trivial to speak of music. However music, in the Mande world1, has always served to reinforce the spiritual capital and unity of communities. In the 1700’s during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade, music...
by Julie Moore | Oct 12, 2013 | Culture
Chicken Yassa I wrote down this recipe watching Aminatta, chef at the Sleeping Camel in Bamako, Mali. This is also known as “Lemon Chicken,” but here Aminatta used vinegar instead of lemon juice. This recipe is for 1 chicken, or 8-9 servings Leaving the skin on one...
by Julie Moore | May 31, 2013 | Jazz, Mande Music, misconceptions, music theory, West African music
Westerners are coming to love West African music, but can we really understand it the way it’s meant to be understood? The Top 10 Ways Western Ideas Muddle Our Experience of West African Music: Here is our list of the top ten ways Western music theory has...
