Festival International Nuits d’Afrique unveils programming of special 40th edition

As summer approaches, so does festival season in Montreal, and among the first to unveil their programming for this summer is the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique.

In keeping with tradition, the festival runs from July 7 to 19, where more than 700 artists from 30 different countries are coming together to perform in what organizers are calling the largest event of its kind in North America.

“Their whole ‘raison d’être’ is to bring the cultures together,” said Jab Djab group member and performer at the festival, Ross Whiteman. “If you’re an artist, then you could go to them and perform under their banner.”

This year’s programming includes a rich variety of headliners that will bring to life sounds and rhythms rooted in African, Caribbean and Latin American cultures.

“If you check the bands, one is from Brazil, one is from Africa, one is from Columbia and so on,” added Whiteman.

Many of whom have a rich history of performing at the festival, and who like Whiteman and his band Jab Djab, have showcased their talents since its inception and who have also had the pleasure of watching Festival Nuits d’Afrique grow with each passing year.

“This year the artistic direction was to bring artists that made their mark throughout the 40 years,” said general manager for Productions Nuits d’Afrique, Suzanne Rousseau.

Returning to the stage once again this year are many familiar names: Djely Tapa, Aboulaye Koné, Diely Mori Tounkara, Adama Daou, Fa Sissokho and Mamoutou Dembélé (Montreal’s Griots), to name a few.

In addition to a long list of veteran performers, organizers say they’ll also be showcasing the talents of up-and-coming artists.

“We have the newcomers that we discovered throughout the year throughout our showcase called the Syli d’Or de la musique du monde competition,” said Rousseau.

“Every year we discover 36 new groups through the Syli d’Or, so the new generation is also presented throughout this edition,” she added.

Of those newcomers, this year’s showcase includes La Murga Ensemble, Fulu Miziki, Guiss Guiss Bou Bess, Sika Rilion, Boubé, Zalam Kao, Tamboréal Samba Bloco and Bastin Band.

In addition to offering a variety of artists in their lineup, the 13-day festival includes an indoor concert program, featuring eight concert series at a variety of venues, as well as six days of free outdoor programming with dozens of concerts from July 14 to 19 in the heart of downtown Montreal at Quartier-des-spectacles.

“The outdoor portion is a really complete experience of Nuit d’Afrique. You have the dance and music workshops that start the days. You have the intimate cabaret so that the artists explain a bit their music, their culture, the rhythm while playing and explaining, and the two stages where the big names and the less well known names [perform],” explained Rousseau.

To celebrate the 40-year milestone, organizers say they’ve even brought together an all-star ensemble to compose an original anthem that embodies the essence of the festival, which is all about cultures coming together and sharing musical traditions.

” It’s called United by the Nights, they call it the Nuit Afrique. The song was composed by somebody from Nuit Afrique here, it’s an African singer from Cameroon who composed the music.” said Whiteman.

“We really worked hard all winter to prepare an edition that is worthy of the 40th edition,” said Rousseau excitedly about the festival’s very first anthem, which she confirms will be playing every day throughout the festival.

And if that weren’t enough, they’ve even added a special new event this year to further commemorate the 40th anniversary.

“We’ll occupy also Saint-Catherine Street where there will be a big major screen where we’ll show a retrospective of artists that have come and played and souvenirs for people who follow the festival throughout these editions,” explained Rousseau.

The activity includes entertainment and street performances by Kalabanté and will run throughout the entire festival.