Nado presents: Samba Ngo live in the studio

Samba Ngo is a native of Congo in Central Africa. His music is rooted in traditional Congolese sounds, Ngo is a master of sebene—the characteristic element of Congolese music that enchants and entrances listeners with driving layers of guitar, and call-and-response choruses. He incites passion with his own brand of encouragement: "C'est bon!"

Please join Emmanuel Nado as this extraordinary guitarist and songwriter will be our guest on Africa Mix, Thursday, February 8.

Samba performs live Saturday, February 10th at Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center 1317 San Pablo Avenue, Berkeley. Doors 9:00 pm; show 9:30 pm. $15.

Nado presents The Politics of African Music: Songs of Protest, Revolution and Liberation

As Ken Wiwa, the son of Ken Saro-Wiwa, leader of the Ogoni people who was assasinated by the Nigerian government in 1995, said, “When voices like my father are silenced, others rise and often they belong to musicians. Africa’s musicians carry a sacred burden—they are the griots, the historians of Africa’s rich, varied, and infinitely complex past.”

In this series Emmanuel Nado explores the historical involvement of music in Africa politics, the delicate and intricate relationship between African musicians and African leaders. From songs of praise to songs of protest, we’ll feature the music of outspoken African artists and their impact on the political development of their respective countries.

Photo of Ken Saro-Wiwa © BBC News