Bombino Live at Lee's Palace, March 9, 2019


2019.3.9
Bombino at Lee’s Palace, March 9, 2019, Toronto.

Born Turaeg along a trade route outside Agadez, Niger, Omara “Bombino” Moctar grew up during the early Tuareg rebellions which left the nomadic tribes stateless and seeking refuge in hostile environments. In some jurisdictions the Tuareg were literally banned from playing guitars. In an inspirational moment in the world of music, Tuareg guitar players resisted to form globally popular bands including Bombino and Tinarawen, bringing their stories to the world.
He was leading bands in the early 2000’s and releasing music on cassette as recently as 2009. Bombino had to leave Niger after two of his band members were murdered, and his band has since recorded in the U.S. and Morocco.
His first international release came out in 2011, and his popularity has grown largely on his guitar shredding at concerts. Bombino have played the Horseshoe and the Luminato Festival.
The band came on stage casually and started with a couple of easy going mid tempo numbers. Gradually, Bombino (the man) sped up, and worked his guitarcrobatics into the music. 
The stage banter was limited due to their Tamasheq language, but in broken English, Bombino joked about pronouncing “Toronto.” The warm reception needed no translation, and the band played a terrific set of what is sometimes referred to as “desert blues.”

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