Malian-born and Oslo-based percussionist Sidiki Camara is set to release ‘Ankaben’, his most ambitious project to date. The album gathers an ensemble of Norwegian jazz, folk and contemporary musicians to explore the intersection of Malian musical traditions and Nordic creativity.
At the heart of the project is its title, ‘Ankaben’, which translates to “Humanity”. The album is a deeply personal expression of Camara’s belief in the power of music to connect people across cultures, genres and borders. It follows his 2023 Norwegian Grammy (Spellemannprisen) win for ‘Return to the Traditions’ and continues his lifelong exploration of Malian musical traditions through collaboration and improvisation.
Camara began playing music in Mali at just 10 or 11 years old, choosing music over formal education to pursue a professional career. His journey has taken him from Bamako to Brussels, where he lived from 1989 to 2006, and ultimately to Oslo, where he has been based since 2006. With ‘Ankaben’, he continues to explore the ways music can bridge cultural divides.
