On tour with Toumani Diabaté
Brighton-based musician Kweku Mainoo accompanied Kora star Toumani Diabaté on his recent UK tour.
Here, the Ghanaian musician talks about his experiences of being backstage with Toumani, including the perils of the Kora in packing cases, the ritual of the nightly curry and how close up proximity to a world class musician can help your own music enormously.
“I was chuffed when Toumani Diabaté, my Kora teacher and artistic mentor, phoned and asked me to accompany him on his May 2008 tour as well as some publicity work in the UK. I think because it was a solo tour he wanted someone other than his tour manager to accompany him.... a fellow African is particularly nice as well, especially when you are that far away from home for a long time.”
Kweku, lead singer, Kora and guitar played of Sahara Acoustics, turned his hands to all sorts of tasks on the tour including backstage helper, dresser and musical assistant. He wrote the cues for each performance and had a number of crucial tasks to do including making sure the Kora didn’t go out of tune and he also explained the instrument to the audience who wanted to know more about it after the shows:
“Toumani was always nervous about his Kora going out of tune – because of the leather skins, they stretch with changes in temperature and the slight variation of temperature can change their sound completely. His Kora is kept in a sealed packing case wrapped in blankets and I had to keep checking on it constantly. It’s not brought out until just before Toumani goes on stage.”
Kweku was impressed by the concentration and tenacity of Toumani, despite the hectic pace of the tour:
“It’s such a punishing schedule but Toumani maintains his discipline and peace of mind throughout. He meditates every night before he goes on stage and after every show we had to go out and have an Indian meal. I guess it’s the closest thing to West African food you can get here. It’s these rituals which help you get through such a hectic intense schedule I think."
"Every night was a sell-out and after every show he’d invite people to come out with us and join us for a curry which is how I got to meet people like the bass player from Blur and Björk. He performed with Björk for three nights at the Hammersmith Apollo. Toumani played some tracks on her Volta album it was the first time she’d collaborated with an African musician. He introduced me to Björk and all his guests as another really good Ghanaian Kora player which was very flattering!”
Musical mentoring is also a key plus point of working backstage with Toumani for Kweku:
“He listened to my music when we were driving in the tour bus and he’s given me really useful feedback. As a musician I benefited from watching him prepare for each concert and how he goes on stage as a solo artist. It’s really given me a boost and some lessons on how to cope in certain difficult situations. His professionalism is inspiring and his humility is unsurpassed...it’s really given me an invaluable experience as an artist. And am grateful”
Toumani Diabaté’s album The Mande Variations is out now on World Circuit.