For The Record

MAMADOU - 10 Years Old and Still Going Strong! -

May 5, 2008 - Salem, Massachusetts - Spread the word !!!

mHello to all our friends and fans!

We are proud to announce that the MAMADOU band is officially 10 years old today!!  Our first show was a Cinco de Mayo party in 1998, back when we were called Mamadou Diop and the Jolole Band.

The original band consisted of Mamadou Diop on lead vocals/rhythm guitar, Pavel Jirka on lead guitar, Rick Ashley and Alan Hezekiah on African percussion, John Pfister on bass, and Ted Sillars on drum kit.  Soon afterwards, Master Drummer Ibrahima Camara joined in as the fulltime percussionist.  Two years later, keyboardist Adam Zampino joined this crazy group.

Since then, we have traveled all over with our music, averaging well over 50 performances per year, moving people at festivals, parties, schools, nightclubs, and more!  My, how we have grown...

We are always writing new music, sharing it with you at our shows, and we love what we do.  The summer is on its way, and we are looking forward to a Great 2008!

Check our calendar for upcoming shows in your area.  We hope to see you there!

Peace, Love, and Hope

-MAMADOU 
www.mamadou.com

2005 Walk for HAWC - Salem, MA - April 25, 2005 - Every year for the past several years, we have performed at this great fundraising event. Our role is simple... To keep people walking with the beat of our music. To find us, keep an ear out as you walk along the 5 mile course, raising money to help abused women and their children. To participate and learn more, please visit www.helpabusedwomen.org, or simply donate to HAWC now!!
MAMADOU Record Deal -

Loud DustBoston world music band MAMADOU signs with Loud Dust Recordings

February 20, 2006 - Press Release:

At the Ocean State Reggae Festival -

July 19, 2008 - Charlestown, RI

The band MAMADOU, along with many other notable performing artists including Yellowman, shared the stage at the Ocean State Reggae Festival held in coastal Charlestown, Rhode Island.  It was a day of great music, lots of sunshine, and a flavor in the air that reminded all that this was a real Reggae festival.

MAMADOU on WWUH - A couple of our songs were introduced during a radio show on November 12, 2006 at the University of Hartford, CT (WWUH).  The show is called Culture Cafe, hosted by Brian Grosjean.  The radio show can be listened to online.  Our songs start at around 21:30.  We hope you enjoy the clip.
ArtsCentral - We are performing at the first annual ArtsCentral festival in Central Square, Cambridge, MA on the Main Stage, Temple Street, on Sunday, September 18th, 2005 at 4:00 PM. Come see the festival of culture and art. It runs from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, and is going to be great!! Be sure to bring your happy feet ;)
Our new CD Nadine is here!! - Loud Dust Recordings Thanks to our record label, Loud Dust Recordings, our new CD Nadine is now available at all of our shows, as well as online at several locations.  We'll be getting the CD out to radio stations soon, as well.  We'll keep you posted as more news develops!  Thank you for your support.
Emergenza Festival 2007 - Round 1 - EmergenzaHere we go again!  On February 23, 2007 , you will find MAMADOU among another 8 bands putting forth new and exciting music at the Middle East Upstairs stage in Cambridge, MA.  We are on at 10:00 PM for a quick 25 minute set!  We ask that you show your support by simply being there to vote for us.  In return, we will entertain your socks off!  Bring your friends, and we will love you forever (we already do, but this will just reinforce that)!  We'll see you there, and bring your dancing shoes!!
Art Opening - Photography Exhibit - Art Show Opening at the Baobab Space!! - Come see the amazing photographs of John Fletcher, showing photos from Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe! The Opening is from 6:30 to 8:30 PM on Thursday, September 15, 2005.
A3D Annual Fundraiser 2004 - Salem, MA - August 28, 2004 - This is the first annual fundraiser held by A3D, Inc. In addition to African music and drumming, the fundraiser had African food, clothing, and a raffle of African wares. It was held at the Knights of Columbus building, in downtown Salem, Massachusetts.
Harper's Ferry - MAMADOU will be bringing the sweet taste of African music to Harper's Ferry in Boston, MA!! This show also announces the release of the new music industry magazine "Unmag" which features some great local and unknown artists. We are there on Monday, August 15, 2005 at 10:30 PM, but the show starts at 9:00 PM.

This is our first time at Harper's Ferry, so come show some support!! Be sure to say that you are there to see us ;)
Accolade with iTunes - Our song Djibi has made the "Deep Cuts" disk of the "iTunes Essentials: Afro-pop" Compilation!! If you have iTunes, go ahead and download the Compilation!
On to Emergenza Round 3 - The Semi-Finals -

EmergenzaOn Friday, April 7, we performed at Round 2 of the Emergenza Festival , competing to go on to Round 3 against some amazingly good bands (they really are).

It is official - We made it to Round 3!!!  The show is at the Paradise at 9:00 PM on May 18th.

But now, we have our biggest challenge:  Tongue out

We need the support of all of our friends and fans to make it to the Regional Finals (Round 4).

Concord Academy - Concord, MA - September 19, 2003 - Concord Academy is an independent College Preparatory School for grades 9 through 12. We played at their Performing Arts Center as part of their Opening Days & Orientation Events.
White Mountain School - Bethlehem, NH - January 29, 2004 - The White Mountain School provides an environment for serious academic training and personal growth within a community-based setting in the White Mountains of northern New Hampshire. Students experience a total living/learning curriculum based on a three-part ecology: ecology of the human spirit, ecology of one's community, and ecology of the physical world. We introduced a little bit of African music and culture.
ABDM Fundraiser -

We support the Art of Black Dance and Music, and want you to do the same. This unique organization, founded by De Ama Battle, has been instrumental in introducing African music and dance to the people of New England and beyond. The annual fundraiser will be held at the Roxbury Center for the Arts starting at 6:00 PM on Saturday, October 22, 2005, and all are welcome to attend! We will be performing there, as well.

A3D Second Annual Fundraiser -

African Development through Drum and Dance (A3D) is a North Shore based non-profit organization that raises awareness and collects donations to help African populations both locally and abroad. We are proud to work with them to help them get their message out, and to show support to the African communities around the world. The fundraiser will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2005 from 7:30 PM to 11:30 PM.

Halloween - Salem, MA - October 31, 2004 - We had the frightfully delightful opportunity to perform in the Halloween capital of the world on Halloween night at the Hawthorne Hotel in downtown Salem, Massachusetts! The audience was colorful; very African-like. The City of Salem is crazy throughout the month of October every year, and it is quite an experience. Did we mention that Salem is our "home town"?
Round 4: The Emergenza Regional Finals -

Emergenza We would like to thank everyone who supported us all the way to the FINALS in the Emergenza Festival International Battle-of-the-Bands!!  Thanks to all of you, as well as a little hard work on our part, we placed 5th overall in the competition out of over 300 bands in the New England area.

We would also like to congratulate all of the other bands for their jobs well done.  In the end, only Ellis Ashbrook moved on to the National Finals in New York.

For more information, visit the Emergenza site to keep up to date. 

First Night Boston 2007 -

We are proud to be bringing you into the New Year 2007!!  Join us at the Hynes Convention Center starting at 9:30 PM on Sunday, December 31st!  For more information, see our calendar !

From Boston Globe Calendar, 12/28/06:

"Mamadou Diop’s musical career has followed an astonishing trajectory: Born in rural Senegal and raised in Dakar, Diop toured through Europe and Africa before ending up on, of all places, Massachusetts’s North Shore. Not that anyone’s complaining. Diop and his band, Mamadou, play thick, drum-heavy funk that mashes Senegalese rhythms with reggae, salsa, and soul. Never had the pleasure of joining a samba line hours before the new year? When Mamadou takes the stage at the Hynes Convention Center, you’ll have your chance. Performance from 9:30 to 11 p.m. at the Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston St., Boston."

Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center - Cambridge, MA - October 15, 2004 - In honor of our good friend De Ama Battle, and to celebrate her birth anniversary, we and many others performed at the Cambridge Multicultural Arts Center (CMAC). That was quite an event, with drumming, dancing, live music, amazing foods, friends, families, fun, and a full celebration!! De Ama is one of the most influential teachers of African culture and dance throughout the Boston, MA area.
On BandRadio.com -

Hey, everyone!!  We have our song "Senegal" being played on the new Internet based "radio station" called BandRadio.com.  They take requests, and play all kinds of cool music.  You should check it out.  While you're there, why not request Senegal from their playlist.  It helps us rise on the charts.  Lately, we have been floating around #2 on the charts!!

Thanks for your support Cool

K. O. Katrina Relief Concert - To aid the victims of the devastating storm Katrina, we are holding a fundraiser, along with some other area musicians, at Rockafellas in Salem, MA. Be there at 6:00 PM on Tuesday, September 20, 2005!!
Emergenza Festival 2006 - Round 1 - Emergenza is an international festival that exposes some of the best bands in the world. We will be taking the stage at 9:00 PM on Saturday, December 17, 2005 at the Middle East (Upstairs) in Cambridge, MA for 30 minutes. There will be eight bands performing each night.

Please try to make it to this show! It is a competition, and your vote is necessary for us to continue competing.
Clinton Community College - Plattsburgh, NY - October 28, 2004 - Students and Professors at Clinton Community College were exploring world cultures and languages. We introduced some West African culture, along with our music in several languages including French and Wolof. Upstate New York is beautiful! We discovered this after skipping across Lake Champlain aboard a ferry service from upstate Vermont. By the way, "Champ" (the local sea-monster) says "hello" to you.
MAMADOU on NPR - OCT 25, 2006 - We made it to national radio!  One of our songs from the CD Nadine was broadcast across the country, and is promoted on the National Public Radio (NPR) Open Mic web site.  The best part is that they contacted us!
Emergenza Competition - Round 2 -
EmergenzaJoin us when we perform on the Downstairs stage of the Middle East in Central Square, Cambridge, MA for a half-hour of intense MAMADOU music on Saturday, April 7th.  The ten bands competing are the better bands from Round 1, and we are on at 10:30 PM.  We will be seeking your votes at around 10:55 PM.  Mark your calendars, and come show your support.  You (and your friends) can get discounted tickets from us (you save $5 each from us).  To get yours, simply contact us and we'll make it happen.  Thanks, and we'll see you there!!
2003 NEMO Showcase - Boston, MA - September 5, 2003 - NEMO at night is all about the live music showcases. Almost 250 bands at all levels of development jam 20 of Boston's best clubs in two nights. From rock to hip-hop, folk to r&b, blues to country, and everything in between, NEMO�s got it covered. This is the breeding ground where the music industry and music fans (almost 15,000 of them) converge to experience Boston�s music scene at its finest hour. We performed at Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge, MA.
New Years Eve - Worcester, MA - December 31, 2004 - We brought West African music to the Worcester African Cultural Center, closing out 2004! It is quite an honor to be able to perform for such an organization. Worcester African Cultural Center houses a gallery, Gift Shop and performing arts center. The gallery displays artifacts from the entire African Continent. Display items include masks, figurative sculptures, textiles and contemporary art.

If you can find the time, you should check them out. They are very knowledgeable about African culture and art, and they are local to central Massachusetts.
Rockafellas -

Come see us at Rockafellas on Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday!! We will be performing there on Sunday, January 15th, starting at 8:00 PM. This place has a cool atmosphere, located right in downtown Salem, Massachusetts. We'll see you there, and bring your dancing shoes!!

International Children's Festival - Somersworth, NH - June 19, 2004 - The Somersworth International Children's Festival has attracted tens of thousands of individuals to the streets of Somersworth, NH since 1981. The Festival, located on the city's Main Street and at the Noble Pines Playground, is the SFA's most ambitious event. With four stages, the festival features a mix of continuous multicultural and children's entertainment; exotic and traditional foods; an enormous selection of crafts and activities; a petting zoo, pony rides and excitement for all ages with over 250 activities and vendors. The Festival remains the best attended event in the tri-city region. We performed at this great event, and it is well worth attending!
Kure for Katrina -

There is a Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball Fundraiser for the victims of Katrina on October 8, 2005 at the Ballard Restaurant in Saugus, MA, featuring some top name musicians. The proceeds will go to the people of Mississippi and New Orleans. The fundraiser starts at 6:00 PM until Midnight. Tickets will be $20.00 per person. Expected to be sold out.

Phoenix Rising Peace Festival of 2005 - Imagine Studios presents the Phoenix Rising Peace Festival of 2005 - An outdoor music festival and fundraiser for peace. A portion of the proceeds from this event will benefit Veterans for Peace!! Join us at this special event on July 2, 2005. We will be on at 6:00 PM, but the event will run all day.
Culture Fest 2005 - We are honored to have been selected to perform at Culture Fest 2005 on September 3, 2005. Proceeds of this event are going to support Second World's initiatives in developing countries. These projects involve fair trade arts, economic development, and cultural preservation.
MIT 'Artists Behind The Desk' - Cambridge, MA - July 30, 2003 - The ABD Committee is made up of volunteers with one common purpose: To seek out and show off the many talented employees who sit "behind the desk" at MIT. One such employee is our Bassist, Erik Millett.
On to Emergenza Round 3 - The Semi-Finals -

EmergenzaOn Saturday, April 7, we performed at Round 2 of the Emergenza Festival, competing to go on to Round 3 against some amazingly good bands (they really are).

Thanks to you - We made it to Round 3!!!  The show is at the Paradise at 9:00 PM on May 25th.

But now, we have our biggest challenge:  Tongue out

We need the support of all of our friends and fans to make it to the Regional Finals (Round 4).

Emergenza Festival 2006 - Round 2 -

On December 17th, we performed at the Emergenza Festival (an international battle of the bands).  There, we wowwed the audience with our music, and it paid off!!  We are on to Round 2 of the competition, and we are looking for your vote!! Laughing

League of NH Craftsmen Annual Fair - Newbury, NH - August 9, 2003 - The League of New Hampshire Craftsmen Annual Fair is one of the finest, most prestigious craft events in the country today. This annual nine-day event features both traditional and contemporary fine craft work by state-juried members of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen. You can also enjoy a variety of daily Performing Arts by some of New England's finest musicians, storytellers and theater groups, including MAMADOU this year!
African Festival in Lowell, MA - We are honored to have been selected to perform at the African Festival in Lowell on June 25, 2005!! Please come by and experience a little bit of Africa right here in Massachusetts!
2004 Walk for HAWC - Salem, MA - May 2, 2004 - HAWC is an organization that helps women and children who are, or have been, abused. This fundraiser is held annually to both raise money, and to promote the efforts made by HAWC and its volunteers. We support helping people who are in need, and offer our music every year to this great fundraising event. Our role is simple... To keep people walking with the beat of our music. To participate and learn more, please visit www.helpabusedwomen.org, or simply donate to HAWC now!!
Evolving Artists - Webcast - December 10, 2003 - We were seen around the world, performing on the Evolvingartist.com Live Webcast!!! Located in Southbridge, MA, The Artist Development Complex (ADC) was founded in 2002 as a complete complex serving all sorts of musical bands from the North East. Built within a brick and mortor building, the ADC boasts many amenities including: practice studios, live band room, "live" web-broadcasting via evolvingartist.com, music production and promotion, web creation, hosting, and administration, general music management, and audio and video production.
2006 Lo-Budget Love Competition -

We have been selected as a finalist in the 2006 Lo-Budget Love Competition Cool

May Fire Arts Festival - Boston, MA - May 8, 2004 - We performed at this great event, produced by Boston's own Sidewalk Sam. It was quite a colorful experience! The press release was: From noon until 9:30 PM, the banks of the Charles will come alive with art, music, dance, poetry, and creative events. Musical and performance groups will be scheduled all day on the Hatch Shell. Many cultural organizations in Massachusetts will add their creativity to May Fire and present their performances. A team from ArtStreet will focus on a sculpture to be floated on a barge in the Charles and illuminated at dusk. An "Art Wall" will host paintings, sidewalk chalk will be available to everyone to create drawings on the paths, and face and body painting will be going on throughout the event. May Fire will be spontaneous; just the fact of not knowing what to expect will engage the crowds. However, groups that submit performance ideas, and bands that need to set up equipment and utilize the Hatch Shell and other stages, will have scheduled time slots in which to perform throughout the day and evening.
Blackmonsart Award - March, 2006 -

AwardWe were selected to receive this prestigious award, not by a selection committee, not by a panel of judges, but by a real person who appreciates what we do!  We are honored to have this award, and encourage you to also support the arts.

Mamadou Diop nominated for Heroes of Humanity Award -

SALEM RESIDENT and local musician, Mamadou Diop, president of the nonprofit organization A3D, Inc. (African Development through Drum and Dance) was nominated for the Humanitarian of the year award from the Art of Living Foundation - Heroes of Humanity which will be held in Boston on 3/7/07 - UPDATE - Mamadou Diop was selected to receive the "Humanitarian of the Year" honorable award from the Boston Chapter of the International Art of Living Foundation!

Art Opening and Baobab Space Grand Opening - Art Show Opening at the Baobab Space!! - Come see the amazing photographs of Alison Williams at the Baobab Space! The Opening is on Wednesday, June 29, and starts at 6:30 PM (you can then stroll down to see us at Dodge Street; hint, hint).
Emergenza Semi-Finals - Results -

CoolIt is now official - We placed FIRST for the night of 5/25/07!!  We would like to thank all of you who made to our show.  Amazingly, you traveled in from as far away as Canada and Florida just to support us.  How can we thank you enough?!

New Years Eve - Beverly, MA - December 31, 2003 - We ended 2003 at First Night in Beverly, MA!!! First Night is Beverly's oldest, continuously running arts festival put together by a great group of civic minded, fun and creative people a decade ago who had a vision of Beverly becoming the arts center of the North Shore.

First Night is a community celebration of the New Year through the arts. It is a public festival that marks the passage from the old to the new with art, ritual and festivity. All First Night Celebrations are licensed by First Night International and adhere to a set of standards. First Night International promotes licenses and supports the development of First Night Festivals across the globe.
Marblehead AIDS Action Committee Quilt - Marblehead, MA - September 20, 2003 - We brought our music to the presentation of the AIDS Memorial Quilt by the Marblehead AIDS Action Committee. The AIDS Memorial Quilt is a poignant memorial, a powerful tool for prevention education and the largest ongoing community arts project in the world. Each of the more than 44,000 colorful panels in the Quilt memorializes the life of a person lost to AIDS. As the epidemic claims more lives, the Quilt continues to grow and to reach more communities with its messages of remembrance, awareness and hope.
Hannah Glover Cruise - We will be cruising around the Salem Harbor and beyond on the Hannah Glover on July 29 and again on September 2!! Come join the party with us!! If you have never been on the 63 foot double-decker cruise ship dubbed the Hannah Glover, you are in for a real treat! Capacity is limited, so get there early, as you don't want to miss the boat!
Blackburn Tavern - Up in Gloucester at the early side of Main Street, you will find us at the Blackburn Tavern. This venue has sported many of the finer bands in New England, and somehow we slipped in. Our first show will be on October 6, 2005, bringing in the sweetness of autumn. If you are free, why not come down and check this place out. Blackburn is known as one of the finer venues to catch some good music and food north of Boston.
Sproutstock Festival - Kerhonkson, NY - August 3, 2003 - Sproutstock is an annual weekend event, providing over 190 participants with a wide range of entertainment and merriment. Every year Sproutstock showcases 5 unique musical performances from a variety of backgrounds, such as Rock, Swing, Reggae, Disco, Zydeco and more - musical acts to please everyone. This year, we brought them West African music!
Concert at Woodstock Academy - Woodstock, CT - March 18, 2005 - Exposure to the cultures of the world is an invaluable part of educating our children. Woodstock Academy knows this. That is why they included us in their celebration and focus of foreign cultures. Read a nice review of the event, as published in the Worcester Telegram and Gazette.
Tsunami Relief Concert - Beverly, MA - January 29, 2005 - Tragedy strikes this world from time to time, and the tsunami that impacted most of the coastal areas from East Africa to East Asia is no exception. We participated, along with many others, in a local Tsunami Relief Concert, organized by local area musician Jon Waterman (check him out when you get a chance). Remember, you do not need a fundraiser to help. You can always donate to the Red Cross, to support those in need!

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Adam Zampino
 

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Masconomet Middle School, Topsfield, MA
February 11, 2003

    Mamadou,

    Thanks so much for coming to Masconomet to perform for us! It was really wonderful and the kids have been commenting today on how much they enjoyed you and Rick! It was a fabulous way to make the whole Africa unit 'real.' I think they learned a lot and had some misconceptions dispelled. We had them write some feedback about the unit, and here's what some of the kids had to say about your performance:
    • 'great, cool, fun, crazy beat!'
    • 'they both gave insight into African culture'
    • 'I liked this because I like listening to people from other countries. I find it interesting.'
    • 'It was awesome!'
    • 'he taught us about how we should always respect our mothers'
    • 'the outfits were great. I liked the question and answer session.'
    • 'It was cool how the highschool drummers joined Mamadou and Rick'
    • 'It was fun to do the rhythms they gave us.'

    Thanks again!!!
    Ursina Amsler


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