This is part 6 of a 6-part series. Some of the greatest songs come out of the most trying circumstances. Mandjou is one such song. It featured on the eponymous 1978 album and had been composed when ...

There aren’t many artists who use balafons — there aren’t many artists who know what it is — but Salif Keita integrates them regularly in his music. Born in a village in Mali, Keita was an outcast in ...

There have seemingly never been any harsh words for Malian singer Salif Keita's gorgeous voice, but sometimes his musical accompaniment has caused eyebrows to furrow. After leading sharp African dance ...

Tall walls, paneled ceilings and sleek chairs are all part of the Musical Instrument Museum’s theater. A polished wooden frame surrounds the stage, and the stage itself echoes every pin drop. Built ...