Al Bilali Soudan

"Al Bilali Soudan - an ancient name for the city of Timbuktu - present an improvisational tour de force of traditional rhythms and scales. Their style is Tehardent, the Tamasheq name for their traditional stringed instrument. A precursor of the modern banjo, the Tehardent has accompanied griots, bards, dancers and vocalists for centuries. "-clermontmusic.com

The ancient name for Timbuktu...the main instrument, the Tehardent, was a precursor to the modern day banjo.

from Clermontmusic.com "Al Bilali Soudan - an ancient name for the city of Timbuktu - present an improvisational tour de force of traditional rhythms and scales. Their style is Tehardent, the Tamasheq name for their traditional stringed instrument. A precursor of the modern banjo, the Tehardent has accompanied griots, bards, dancers and vocalists for centuries. They hails from a well-known Tuareg family which has performed this music for generations."

Timbuktu-based Al Bilali Soudan plays a form of Tuareg music that predates the now familiar desert blues. Their music style is called Takamba, and revolves around the use of an ancient lute.

Timbuktu, Mali. Made up of family members and friends, the group's performance is an improvisational tour de force of traditionally based rhythms and scales. The style is known as Takamba.

Timbuktu-based Al Bilali Soudan plays a form of Tuareg music that predates the now familiar desert blues. Their music style is called Takamba, and revolves around the use of an ancient lute that is also known as ngoni and tidinit in other parts of Western Africa.

Mali