Festival in the Sahara Desert 2004

West Africa: Mali - Essakane, January 2004. The site of the 4th Annual Festival in the Desert.

I feel lucky to have participated in this extraordinary event (performing with Roswell Rudd), hosted by the Tuareg people of Mali. Taking place over three days, the site in Essakane is a three hour drive north into the Sahara desert in a 4x4 vehicle from the ancient city of Tombouctou, the site of the closest airport. Well known African and International artists performing included Ali Farka Toure, Oumou Sangare, Manu Chao, Cheick Tidiane-Seck, Amadou et Mariam, the Gangbe Brass Band of Benin, and the Navaho American band Blackfire. Other inspired performances included Tuareg and Songhay trance music, Wodaabe singers from Niger, and the group Baba Djire of Bamako. It seems the massive undertaking to host this festival was largely a volunteer effort. I can't imagine how long it took to get the tractor trailer out there full of lights and audio gear. - Hank

for more pictures from my trip go here...