Malian drummer Sidy Maiga wins the MacColl Johnson Fellowshi

[rachelnguyen]

Hey guys,

I am thrilled to announce that Sidy Maiga has just won the 2011 MacColl Johnson Fellowship in Music Composition from the RI Foundation. This is a highly competitive prize that is awarded to 3 RI composers and musicians once every three years.

For me, what is so exciting about this is that this is the first time an African musician has won the prize. It tells me that the judging panel really stepped outside the box. Past winners have tended to be more experimental composers.

I am so excited about this.

Rachel

[bkidd]

Congratulations to Sidy. Thanks for sharing the great news.

[James]

Cool, this is great news

[rachelnguyen]

It really has been an amazing year for Sidy. His album came out in May, he won the RI State Council on the Arts Folk Arts Fellowship in June, his son was born in July, he brought Nampé Sadio to the United States for our Afrika Nyaga drum and dance festival in October and he won the MacColl Johnson Fellowship last month. Whew, LOL.

In the OP, I mentioned that Sidy is the first African winner of MacColl Johnson, but actually, I think he is the first ethnic musician. It was really a major departure for them... and very interesting to try and explain to the judging panel what they were listening to, and why there was no musical score. (It is a prize for music composition.) I truly wasn't sure if the judges would get it at all. It was a huge thrill that they did.

In 10 days I am off to Bamako to celebrate with Sidy's family. We are going to have a baptism for the new baby, and a big party celebrating this amazing year. It is going to be AMAZING!!!

xxoxo,
Rachel

[bops]

That's great, Rachel! Congrats to Sidy on a great year. That's very exciting news.

Have a great trip, and keep us updated!

[Waraba]

Go, Mali and Mali musicians!!!!!!!

[bubudi]

hey rachel!
that's great news. enjoy your holidays! anything new on your travel agenda this time?

[rachelnguyen]

Hey Bubudi,

For me, the highlight of the trip is going to be Sidy's son's baptism ceremony. I have never been to one before, and this one is particularly special, of course. I believe that Sidy's family is going to slaughter a cow for the occasion.

I am also going to be involved in a performance art piece by my friend Amery Kessler. He is going to build a drum big enough for someone to fit inside. He has one here in the US that is modeled on a cajon. In Mali he is going to use a skin instead. I got to try the cajon one out in Providence last month and it was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. I was lying inside and about 8 people, including Sidy, were playing the drum. I didn't want to come out, LOL.

As far as classes are concerned, I am mostly interested in dunun, of course. Last year the dunun classes didn't really come together. I studied djembe instead. This year I am hoping to spend some time studying with one of the guys from the Districte de Bamako troupe.

All in all, I am just thrilled to be going back. Will keep you all posted!

Love,
Rachel