Blending rock, traditional Malian styles, electronica and blues, Amadou & Mariam is a standout of the world music scene—and one of the more interesting stories around. Guitarist and vocalist Amadou Bagayoko met vocalist Mariam Doumbia back in 1975 at the Malian Institute for the Young Blind in Bamako, where they were both members of the Eclipse Orchestra. They immediately fell in love, and have been making music ever since. Like most acts, the two started out performing locally, but over the years have grown an audience that stretches around the globe. The duo’s sound is broadly described as Afro-blues, but it fuses genres, sounds and traditions in unexpected and sublimely danceable ways.
INFO: 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5. Catalyst, 1011 Pacific Ave., Santa Cruz. $27.50. 423-1338. WANT TO GO? Go to santacruz.com/giveaways before 11 a.m. on Friday, July 28 to find out how you could win a pair of tickets to the show.
