Pulled from the Vault on January 22, 2009--

 Sean and Georges Accept CPB Gold Award

When World Music Productions won a CPB Gold Award in 1989 for Afropop Worldwide, Sean and Georges accepted the award along with Jojo, Georges' son.  Sean remembers this as an exhilarating moment in the life of Afropop, with many of our public radio colleagues getting to their feet and cheering.  Here's the photo capturing the moment--Georges, Jojo and Sean along with a few CPB executives.

--Matt




Pulled from the Vault on January 15, 2009--

 Bonnie Raitt Jams in Mali

When Afropop Worldwide went to Mali in 2000 for the "Mali Magic 2000" excursion, Sean and I arrived in Bamako a week earlier with Bonnie Raitt, who wanted to meet and jam informally with musicians.  At the end of the week, Habib Koite hosted a big jam session at his house with musicians chosen by Bonnie. 
After a week spent in musical compounds of Bamako, Bonnie knew exactly which musicians she wanted for this jam.  But the negotiating was tricky.  "We'd like you and your bass player.  Nobody else."  Diplomacy won out in the end and the jam was free-wheeling and expansive.  It was recorded informally, but alas, not for public consumption.  Bonnie was not out to research an album or undertake a "project" in Mali.  This was just for fun.  And fun it was!

I've pulled two photos from the Vault--the first is Bonnie and Bassekou Koyate jamming.  The second is of the jammers after the session.  Close to Bonnie, you'll see Habib, Lobi Traore, and Bassekou.  The other musicians are players in Habib's and Lobi's bands.

--Banning







Pulled from the Vault on January 6, 2009--

 "Public Radio to Dance to the Beat of Afropop"

Before my time at Afropop, I worked for 5 years at Murray Street Productions--the company which marketed Afropop Worldwide during its first year on NPR. As the Marketing Manager of Murray Street, I heard tales of the summer of 1988 (when I was 9!), when Leslie Peters, the first Murray Street Marketer, was at the reigns and introducing Sean Barlow's baby to public radio.

When putting together the idea for this blog, I knew I wanted Sean and Georges and Banning to contribute old photos, documents, film and memories. I never knew I'd have the chance to! But, lo and behold, Carol from Murray Street sent along (unprompted, I might add!) a press release found hidden away in a corner of their office. It was amazing to open the envelope and see...

 

Afropop was released to the world! A second page was in the envelope, but unfortunately not the third...

In the coming weeks, leading up to our 20th Anniversary Hall of Fame Gala, we'll continue to add artifacts from the Afropop Vault. Check back soon and check 'em out!

--Matt