This February, Swiss musician Thaïs Diarra will be on tour in East Africa performing and participating in workshops together with a renowned group of musicians comprising Axel Lussiez, Noumoucounda Cissoko, Mamy Kanouté and Fred Hirschy.

The tour will promote Thaïs Diarra’s new solo album, her third, as well as the work of Swiss arranger and producer Fred Hirschy, who founded Karantaba Records in Dakar, Senegal, where he has produced music for three of the artists in the tour.

Thaïs Diarra began her career in 2000 and has worked with groups such as Positive Black Soul, Professor Wouassa, Bligg, Blacktiger, Shabani and Burnin’ Birds. In 2002 she returned to her ancestral roots and travelled from Mali to Senegal, which became her second home and continues to influence her musically. Thaïs Diarra’s music carries a message of positivity, and she has performed her unique style of Afrosoul music in more than 20 countries. Her music speaks about hope and self-confidence, and is a celebration of women, femininity and sisterhood. Her experience in music has made her proudly realise how much women are starting to embrace themselves.

In 2005 Thaïs Diarra met Fred Hirschy, who has been working as a professional multi-instrumentalist and producer since 1996. Fred produced Thaïs Diarra’s first two albums, and the two artists continue to collaborate regularly exploring urban music strongly influenced by traditional African instruments. Fred has worked with many artists such as Faada Freddy, Patrice and Wayne Paul, among others.

Axel Lussiez is a professional drummer who is very active on the international scene. He is the drummer, among others, of the group Gypsy Sound System. Noumoucounda Cissoko is a kora player, singer and percussionist who has worked with Stromae, Youssou N’Dour, Alpha Blondy, Ernest Ranglin. Mamy Kanouté is a Senegalese singer and Baaba Maal chorister since the age of 14. She has worked with artists such as Youssou N’Dour and is featured on the soundtrack of the film Black Panther.

ABOUT THE TOUR

The tour kicks off in Dar es Salaam where Fred will lead a one-week workshop organised by the Alliance Française at Nafasi Art Space. This week of recordings and collaborations will be followed by a concert at Nafasi Art Space. The tour then travels to Zanzibar to participate in Sauti za Busara Festival, followed by concerts and workshops in Arusha, northern Tanzania. The final leg of the tour takes place in Nairobi with performance at the Alliance Française and another club in the city.