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Mali to America

The story of Ali Kamiya Dit Ba begins in Bankass, a small town below the cliffs of Bandiagara, home of Ali’s mother and the legendary Dogon, Fulani, Bambara, Songhay, Touareg and Malinke’ ethnic people. Ali was born in 1966 into a multi-ethnic community. His father is Malinke’, a descendant of the people who ruled much of West Africa through the 14th Century. His mother’s ancestry belongs to the once nomadic Fulani (Peul) people, herders who now live in large and small enclaves scattered across West Africa.

Travel and cultural exploration began early for Ali; his father and grandfather worked as healers, traders and translators in addition to tending crops at home. Moving through this culturally rich region, Ali soon spoke Fulbe, Dogon, Bambara, and French. He took an early interest in the performing arts, singing for his family and acting in a traditional theater group in Bankass.

Villagers knew Ali had the gift of music before he knew it. His family knew he was gifted by God, never having been taught to sing or write or make music. Still, his parents disapproved -- fearful that competition would be difficult and damaging, and that Ali’s uncompromising musical commentary on the social and economic realities of life might cause problems.

Ali left home at age 12 and worked as a guide to foreigners visiting Dogon country. He moved between the homes of relatives in Mopti, Bandiagara, and Djenne -- all rich cultural towns well north of the Malian capital, Bamako. At age 18, Ali went to Bamako, where most foreigners begin Malian travels, and built his reputation as a guide across West Africa.

Music At Last

But Ali never gave up on music. His mission was to perform. In 1996, he dedicated himself to music at last. In Bamako, he put together a group consisting of Adama Drame, a childhood friend from Bankass, Mahaman Toure’ dit Bastos of Timbuktu on guitars, Mamadou Kone of Mopti on talking drum and Zoumana Ter’ete of Segou on traditional violin.

"There is always ’bad’ or ’hardship’ in our journeys in order for them to be good. It takes village to village to raise babies," Ali says. "It takes families and children and mothers to create music."

The group presented a brisk and original blend of musical genres with an emphasis on Fulani and ethnic music. Performing in clubs and cultural spaces in Bamako, Ali’s timing was good. With so few northern musicians working in Bamako, and with Ali Farka Toure’s success inspiring Malians to take a new look at their neglected northern treasures. The group quickly earned the support of the local cultural powers. Harouna Barry, the director of Badema National du Mali, helped the group make its first recording. Ali and his group preformed at the prestigious French Cultural Center. Then Ali organized a three-day festival that brought together European tourists, locals, and villagers. Some there had never seen anything like it.

America

Ali moved to the United States in 1999 to pursue his music. Living in Los Angeles, he has traveled widely in the U.S. and learned English. He put together a band with other West Africans based in California and continues to perform with various artists. Ali has recorded on the CD entitled "Leaves from the Tree; A Tribute to Songs of Peter Gabriel" and on the "Freedom Now" cut by various artists. He also has recorded and performed with George Clinton.

"Most times, when i perform in America, it has been my heart that I often just contribute my music to many other popular artists, even impromptu occasions, where I am called up to the stage to sing."

Ali’s concern and love for his people and country come through loud and clear. He sings movingly about the needs of families, especially mothers and children in Africa and the world. He sings of his sense of destiny, and laws, both of man and God. His profound religious faith and his sense of social justice come through repeatedly. Even without explanation or translation, Ali’s voice, his passionate music and his ability to channel ancient Malian knowledge deliver a powerful, universal message. Wherever Ali travels, he feels the ancestors of that place. They speak to him with music, with history, with knowledge and wisdom. His are some of the most enlightening and inspirational songs to emerge from the U.S. via Mali in recent years.

Ali In The Studio No. 5

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Ali with Lady J at KCSB 91.9 FM

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