UNC Asheville Hosts Habib Koite and Bamada in Concert

Habib Koite

UNC Asheville will host Habib Koite and his band Bamada with opening blues artist Guy Davis for a stop on the "Mali to Memphis" tour at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, in UNC Asheville's Lipinsky Auditorium. Named for the critically acclaimed Putamayo collection, "Mali to Memphis" is a musical journey from the heart of an ancient West African kingdom to an American city where the blues music came into its own. Tickets are $18 general admission, $15 children ages 12 and younger and $6 for UNCA students.

African-born singer and master guitarist Habib Koite has emerged as one of the leading figures in contemporary world music, sometimes called the African Eric Clapton. His three albums reflect ancient Malian griot tradition, while incorporating subtle Western influences. Koite has been praised worldwide, including in The New York Times, Le Monde, People and Rolling Stone. He has been featured on major radio and television outlets around the world, including BBC's "The World," CNN's "World Beat," NPR's "All Things Considered" and The Late Show with David Letterman. Moreover, Koite is praised by fellow musicians. Bonnie Raitt has said, "First there was Hendrix, then Stevie Ray, and now Habib!"

The headlines call Guy Davis a renaissance bluesman and an artist who defies the rural blues myth. Whatever he's called, Davis is 100 percent pure blues. Often touted as a member of the new generation of country blues artists, Davis is well-versed in the music's traditions and has eight albums to his credit. "A singer and guitarist in the rural mould of Robert Johnson and Mississippi John Hurt, he has got a voice like Howlin' Wolf dipped in honey," wrote a reviewer for The Scotsman. Davis will open the "Mali to Memphis" performance with a solo set.

The "Mali to Memphis" concert is held in association with UNC Asheville's Black History Month events.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call UNC Asheville's Special Events Box Office at 828/232-5000.

Media Contacts:

• Bunny Halton-Subkis, UNC Asheville Cultural & Special Events Director, 8282/51-6674
• Jill Yarnall, UNC Asheville Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526