Introducing Amadou Kalissa, Badenya

Описание: Artist Amadou Kalissa teamed with mentor Tristan Ludowyk as part of Multicultural Arts Victoria's Visible 2013 program.

Director: Cesar Rodrigues (Blank Tape)
Camera: Cesar Rodrigues
Edit: Tim Marriage & Cesar Rodrigues
Blank Tape Video Productions
blanktapevideoproductions.com.au

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AMADOU KALISSA
Whilst Kora was Amadou’s first love, soon followed the Djembe and Doun Douns at the age of 12. Amadou studied the traditional rhythms of his culture, the Mandinka people. His skill and passion quickly developed and at 17 years of age, Amadou became a valued member of 7 piece group ‘Les Petit Sorciers de Guinee’ as lead Doun Doun player. In 2004, Amadou was chosen to go on his third European tour, performing beside the well known Djembefola ‘Fadouba Oulare’. Amadou has over 20 years experience first learning the Kora from his father at 10 years of age in his home country Guinea, West Africa. Amadou’s father was the lead Kora player for the world renowned group ‘Les Ballets Africains’ for over 20 years passing on his natural gift and love of Kora to his son Amadou.

TRISTAN LUDOWYK
Tristan Ludowyk has been performing professionally for the past 16 years on trumpet, guitar, keys and bass. His role in the music industry began after joining Latin hip-hop/funk group LABJACD in 2004. In 2008 he co-founded The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra whom he currently manages. The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra deliver contemporary African funk to dance floors. Tristan also records and produces for artists, some of whom are signed to his label HopeStreet Recordings. He also provides mentorship to artists on the HopeStreet roster The Cactus Channel and The Bombay Royale.

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The culmination of a year long music mentoring program, the Visible 8 album showcases the talent and diversity of the program’s participants and the fruits of the strong and enduring relationships developed throughout the project with their mentors and producers.

The album features songwriting collaborations between Taqi Khan and Ivan "Choi" Khatchoyan, Ethiopian bassist and songwriter Yospeh H. Bekele and The Cat Empire’s Harry Angus, while 16 year old Sinit Tsegay wrote her first ever original with iconic Melbourne singer/songwriter Jen Cloher. 19 year old Australian Indigenous musician Yirrmal teamed up with Blue King Brown’s Carlo Santone and producer Craig Pilkington (Archie Roach) to record a heart wrenching and beautiful dedication to the Octopus, the creation spirit who lives under the ocean.

Jess Fairfax, Project Officer said, “Multicultural Arts Victoria’s Visible Mentoring Program is aligned with the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions 2005. It is a unique music mentoring program that for over eight years has given a kick start to many emerging musicians from refugee and Indigenous backgrounds through linking them up with established producers, musicians and industry representatives to open pathways and networks into the industry enriching Australia’s music landscape with the diverse cultural expression.”

The program provides skills development and opportunities to strengthen the musician’s portfolio and promotional materials through equipping artists with a professionally recorded track, Electronic Press Kit and high quality press shots. The beautifully crafted EPK videos, produced by Blank Tape Video, introducing the artists and the stories behind the music can be viewed on MAV's Visible 2013 playlist.

Visible 8 is available for purchase on iTunes, MAV's Bandcamp and website where you can also find the past seven Visible releases.

Supported by Australia Council for the Arts, Arts Victoria and the Scanlon Foundation