A Party Of OneParty of One: The Blue People

The Tuareg of northern Mali wear deep blue robes.  In fact, locally, they are called "the Blue People" (for the indigo color of their veils and other clothing, which sometimes stains the skin underneath).The notes that define African-decended music in America are known as the "blue notes" and the music they make up is called "Blues".  African slaves brought this music to the Americas.  African slaves came, in large part, from the interior of West Africa, including (yep, you guessed it) northern Mali.  The traditional music the Tuareg play–now electrified–sounds remarkably similar to the blues of the Mississippi Delta.  With today's show, we'll explore this incredible link across forgotten generations and a wide ocean blue.

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Asie Payton – Asie's Jam