From the Streets of Bamako to the ports of Piraeus-Melbourne Recital Centre

Name: From the Streets of Bamako to the ports of Piraeus-Melbourne Recital Centre
Start: 2025-11-29T09:00:00+11:00
Location: Melbourne Recital Centre

Schedule

Sat, 29 Nov, 2025 at 09:00 am

UTC+11:00

Location

Melbourne Recital Centre | Melbourne, VI

Presented by Melbourne Recital Centre and Con Kalamaras & Stani Goma.
West African blues meets Greek rebetiko.
From the streets of Bamako to the ports of Piraeus, music has long been a powerful voice for the marginalised. This performance unites the rich musical heritage of West African blues and the defiant spirit of Greek rebetiko, forging a compelling connection between two traditions deeply rooted in resilience, longing, and liberation.
At the heart of this collaboration are the Mande Blues Ensemble (MBE) and Estudiantina of Melbourne. Led by esteemed musicians Aboubacar Djéliké Kouyate (kamalengoni, guitar, percussion) and Amadou Suso (kora), experience the soulful rhythms of West African blues as MBE weaves the ancient kora’s intricate melodies into an evocative soundscape.
Breathing new life into Greek rebetiko music, often called the ‘outlaw blues’ of Greece, Estudiantina of Melbourne blends the lively tones of the bouzouki with influences from Greek, Turkish, Jewish, and Armenian musical traditions. With a masterful combination of instruments, their performances resonate with spellbinding innovation and timeless allure.
Together, these two ensembles create a poignant musical conversation, where shared themes of hardship and triumph unite across cultures. This performance celebrates the enduring power of music to transcend boundaries, a tribute to the strength and spirit that connects us all.