Djelimady Tounkara(Brian James Moore)

Infobox musical artist


Name = Djelimady Tounkara
Born = 1947(60)
Died =
Origin = flagicon|Mali Boudefo, Mali
Instrument = Guitar
Genre = Manding Swing, Griot
Occupation = Guitarist
Years_active = 1972 - present
Associated_acts = Super Rail Band, Ensemble National

Djelimady Tounkara (pronounced JEH-lee-MA-dee) was born in 1947, in Boudefo, Mali and is a Malian guitarist. He is most famous for being the lead guitarist the government sponsored Super Rail Band, the only Manding swing band to survive into the 1990s(Eyre, 2000, pg. 1). Djelimady was born into a griot family, which in most cases in western Africa indicated he would also live the life of a griot(most easily translated as a musical storyteller). He is described to be a large man with very powerful hands. Djelimady also, seems rather critical of other jeli's repetitive and predictable music, "We have so much folklore to exploit, why do they always have to play the same songs"(Eyre, pg.57). Tounkara seems to pride himself in his, more creative, music.

Childhood

Djelimady did not have a good childhood exactly. Many thought he had a learning disability. He barely spoke, and received only two years of schooling. Even as a grown man, he can't speak proper French for this reason. Djelimady withdrew, as a result, into his room. Playing his guitar in there constantly, his family would have to bring him food since he would not leave for anything. This however, had an incredible impact on his career.(Eyre, pg. 102)

Lifestyle

Djelimady lives a typical Malian musician lifestyle. He is the clear stern leader of his household, and a hard working musician who plays his heart out to the wee hours of the night. Throughout the book In Griot time, Djelimady is involved in several arguments, sometimes needing his personal griot to calm the situations. Whether or not this is typical male behavior in Mali or Djelimady has an overactive temper is not clear. Considering the amount of arguments break out in the book, it seems this is typical. It is clear that he does fill the traditional male role of Mali. As most do, he lives in a compound with his entire family. Events involving an entire family, viewed as special occasions in America, are a daily occurrence. He commands his wife to obey, he actually strikes her once when she attends a wedding that Djelimady had instructed her not to(Eyre pg. 101). However, he also is portrayed to be a rather warm, giving man to Eyre. Taking him under his wing and helping him every step of the way.His health is one concern throughout the book. He suffers from chronic neck pain, insomina and bouts of Malaria. A passage which struck me as particularly shocking is when Banning and the other men are discussing AIDS. Djelimady announced that he did not believe in AIDS at all, and that it was created by African governments as a way to get funding. It's almost like saying space travel is a hoax. This seems to be a common belief among the men though. He also has a strong disdain for alcohol.

Musical Influences

Oddly enough, many of Djelimady's early influences were Cuban artists. "I took records by Johnny Pacheco, Ray Baretto, Celia Cruz, Joe Cuba on piano--fast salsa. Joe Cuba had one of the hardest songs around then, and I said, 'I'm going to learn that.' People said, 'You are crazy. You can't play the notes there.' But I got to the point where I could play it.”(Djelimady Tounkara:Afropop). However, he was also very versed in the songs of the griots.

Famous Friends

Djelimady is close childhood friends with “Mali's Favorite Son” Babani Sissoko. A man who gives at large sums of money with no more effort than the blink of an eye. Djelimady is also friends with one of the world's most famous Malian singers, Salif Keita. Djelimady joined the Super Rail Band right around the time that Salif had left for a solo career.

Musical career

Early years

Djelimady picked up the guitar very early in his life. When he was just 12 he began to use his brother Yeye's guitar. He soon learned two classic griot songs "Sunjata" and "Lasidan"(Djelimady Tounkara: Afropop). Djelimady's dedication to learning difficult musical pieces garnered him with local recognition and was invited to join the band Misra Jazz. This was an era shortly following Malian independence. When the leader of the country, Mobido Keita, began an era of cultural enlightenment, and people started to notice Misra, Djelimady was recruited to play in the government band Ensemble National. However this era was short lived, and was ended by the overthrow of the government by Moussa Traore. The end of this era also meant the end of many nationally sponsored groups, including The Ensemble National.

uper Rail Band

Seeking a band to play at the Buffet Hotel de la Gare, the Malian Railway Company recruited some of the best performers in Mali, including Djelimady to be the lead guitarist. The Malian government of the 1960s and 70's sponsored many such state bands. They were told to develop the nations folklore, but were allowed to keep whatever western sounds they had adopted. Music of these bands were very pro-African, and thus they became very popular within Mali(Eyre pg. 75). However, presently the Rail Band has expanded into world wide recognition, having gone on several European tours, and launched one of Mali's most popular artists; Salif Keita(Djelimady Tounkara: Afropop).

In Griot Time

Having visited Djelimady 3 years earlier, Banning Eyre, an American guitarist and author, returned to Mali in 1995 to undergo an apprenticeship. The book In Griot Times recounts the experiences of Djelimady and Eyre. Djelimady drew respect from Eyre when he showed him the power of the oldest griot song, which is a tale of the great emperor Sunjata Keita. Enthralled by the power and respect this song could create was one of the reasons he chose to return to Mali. Upon his return Djelimady requested that Eyre bring a Roland Jazz Chorus guitar amplifier. With that packed, in October 1995, he made his trek back to Mali.(Eyre, pg. 5)Djelimady's skills on the Guitar are praised many times throughout the book. "Of course, when he stopped trying to play my rather stylized accompaniment and simply let himself go with a solo, Djelimady was brilliant."(Eyre, pg. 56) Eventually Eyre rehearses with the Rail Band and is invited to play with them at the Buffet. Having only learned a couple songs, Eyre did not expect to play very much in his first performance, but Djelimady indicated he would be playing the entire 3 hour set(Eyre, pg. 75). After this he began playing with them every Saturday.

Present Day

Djelimady still plays with the Rail Band, but is now independent from the Buffet Hotel de la Gare. They currently play often at a club called Djembe, a much younger audience than the Buffet. According to fans, this move has rejuvenated the bands sound, who embarked on their first US tour recently.(Djelimady Tounkara: Afropop)

Finances

Obviously Djelimady makes most of his money through his guitar. He also receives gifts from his old friend, Babani Sissoko. However, when Banning attempts to give him money to help fix his ever present car troubles, Djelimady seems too proud to accept the gift. It is made known that Djelimady's wealth causes many problems with his friends. “Djelimady's new wealth was driving wedges between his and his impoverished friends.”(Eyre, pg 211).

Religion and Spirituality

Never are Djelimady's religious inclinations more present than during the chapter entitled Sacrifices. Where, as the head of the household, Djelimady would have to slaughter a sheep for a feast for his family. Even with the grusome depiction in the book, Djelimady seems to have no problem killing two of them. Djelimady is a practicing Muslim but does not follow the religion too closely. He does not participate in the fasting during Ramadan, does not drink alcohol and does not read the Qur'an regularly or attend mosque.