Midnight in Mali

2006 release. It was an extraordinary night in Bamako. Thirteen of Mali's most distinguished musicians, including singer and guitarist Habib Koité, Rail Band guitarist Djelimady Tounkara, n'goni master Bassekou Kouyaté, and bala xylophonist and violinist Kélétigui Diabaté of Les Ambassadeurs and Bamada, came together on one stage to jam on classics of the Malinké, Bambara, Peul, Wassoulou, and Songhai ethnic traditions. Nothing like this had ever been done before on such a grand scale, and yet it turned out splendidly, one display of skill, daring, respect, and empathy after another and frequent moments of magic.