Super Rail Band, Rokia Traoré, and Naby Camara performed at the Experience Music Project Sky Church on July 23rd, 2002.

Organized in 1970 by the Malian government as part of its nation-building efforts, the Super Rail Band has been an incubator for some of Mali’s star singers, and has nurtured some of its most talented instrumentalists. The band revitalized its sound in the 1990s, adding jazz rhythms to a sonic blend of Congolese rumba, reggae, blues, rock 'n' roll, and Manding pop.

Rokia Traoré is of the new guard of African singers, a 28-year-old who's lived in countries as diverse and far-ranging as Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and Belgium, who's been mentored by Ali Farka Touré, and who's brought those diverse influences to bear on her writing and performing style while still remaining distinctly Malian.

The program also included Seattle resident Naby Camara (from Guinea) and his ensemble, playing traditional West African music on balafon and percussion.