Music and song in Chants

Percussionist Renzo Spiteri and West African musician N'Faly Kouyate are fusing not only their music but also their cultures in their Chants concert tomorrow and on Saturday.

"I think it is important to have respect for the cultural aspect too," says Mr Spiteri. "In Africa, music does not stand alone; it has to be seen in a more holistic way. As a musician and an artist, I interpret my own music in that way too. It is part of something bigger."

For Mr Kouyate, "traditional is traditional, but the mixing of cultures is great. It is a new experience for me and I am really excited and happy to be doing this mix with Malta's culture and Renzo".

The one-off duo is presenting what Mr Spiteri terms a "collaborative" project. Mr Kouyate, from the Republic of Guinea, has a strong musical background and, with both their experiences, it was "the ideal situation to put everything in the pot and mix it".

So, what's cooking in this pot?

"Hopefully, good ingredients, including N'Faly's strong traditional West African music and the important background he and his family have, plus my own experiences, working with my own music and others in different styles and on different platforms, from jazz to improvisational and world music. All this is being put into the context of our own compositions," Mr Spiteri says.

They have been rehearsing at the MITP since Tuesday and are pleased with the sounds that are emerging from their collaboration.

"The idea was not simply to bring Mr Kouyate over to play for an hour, with me in the background, playing some jazz... although I would have liked to just buy a ticket and watch him perform," Mr Spiteri laughs.

The collaboration was born about six months ago when Mr Kouyate's manager had contacted Mr Spiteri and proposed the possibility of a concert.

"She knew about Mr Spiteri because he is not a little musician and he is known everywhere. My dream to work with him is now being realised," Mr Kouyate says.

"It was not easy because I did not have the time to go and meet N'Faly in Brussels, where he is now based. So we had to make many decisions via e-mail, figuring out possibilities to work together." But it has all fallen into place during their intensive four-day challenge, says Mr Spiteri, who knew, the moment he heard of the West African musician, his personal projects and work around the world, that the collaboration would be "something big" here.

"Sometimes, you find yourself in a situation where you are not sure, but then there are other situations where something just tells you to do it... as was this particular case."

Mr Kouyate plays the kora, an instrument from the Mandingue kingdom of West Africa that dates back to the eighth century, and the balafon, which is an African xylophone and is older than the kora.

It is the first time the Maltese percussionist is performing with a kora player. "I had read and studied a lot about this instrument and I always wanted to get in touch with someone who plays it because I really like it, particularly its sounds and versatility. It really depends on the musician and his technique to bring out the best of any instrument, but there is something about the kora... I see it in lots of different situations, be it in fast rhythmic patterns, or slower moments. It has 21 strings to produce harmonies and counter-melodies," explains Mr Spiteri.

It is impossible for Mr Kouyate to pinpoint when he started playing the kora. Saying it was from birth is putting it mildly. He comes from the Griot family, responsible for passing down the history and culture of their kingdom.

"The Griot family could be described as a live library, so to speak. Our culture is vocal, not written, and the Griot clan is the guardian of culture and history and responsible to teach through word of mouth. But they are also musicians, the European equivalent of bards," the smiling West African explains.

"They use the kora as a tool to teach the people. All members of the family have to learn to play these instruments from a young age. You are born with the music, but you still have to learn and grow with it. That is how our tradition and history remain alive."

Mr Kouyate's international career started in 1994 and he is now taking his instruments out of Africa to places where they are practically unheard of.

"It was a pilgrimage... I have heard so much about Malta's beauty and have been wanting to come," he says.

Tomorrow's concert is called Chants due to Mr Kouyate's singing. "But the interpretation of song is not only limited to the vocal aspect," Mr Spiteri elaborates.

"The instruments also sing and talk. They are not just played. So Chants is also what each instrument is capable of saying to the audience."

With regard to the number of instruments being used, there are too many to count! "Lots," say the musicians after a long pause. "There is a variety of stuff, but it is not the quantity; it is the quality that counts."

Tickets for the show, which starts at 8 p.m. at the MITP in Valletta, cost Lm3 and are available from St James Cavalier.

The event is being sponsored by Corinthia Palace Hotel, Digital Magic, the Malta Tourism Authority, Marsovin, Nexos and Olimpus Music.

www.renzospiteri.com