Poetry in Motion
After arranging my recent trip to Paris, I spotted that Fatoumata Diawara had a gig there....BUT it was a few days after I returned to Scotland. Curses...foiled again!
However, her previous gig to the one listed for Paris was also in France...in a place called Vincennes...and that was while I was in Paris. Where was Vincennes? Imagine my delight, when I learned it was a Parisian suburb...on one end of the No. 1 Metro line, no less.
I first saw Fatoumata at WOMAD 2009, when she was a backing singer to Oumou Sangare...and she stood out even then. I love her music and she is a joy to photograph.
So, I was delighted to get a photo pass confirmed. When I pitched up at the venue, I was told I could shoot for the first three songs (as is normally the case). However, before the gig, Sophie, Fatoumata's Assistant (who had arranged my photo pass), introduced herself. When I mentioned the "three songs" rule (just to confirm), she said that this hadn't come from her...and I (and another photographer) were welcome to shoot the whole gig. Woo-Hoo!
Just as well. This shot is from near the end of the gig when Fatoumata lets her hair down, in more ways than one. :-)
She is just a wonderful live performer. if you get the chance, go see her.
She's back at this year's WOMAD Festival, performing with Roberto Fonseca. I'm looking forward to it.
You can see a video of Fatoumata singing 'Bissa' here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=E82BifytoYY
You can see more of my shots of her, here: Fatoumata Diawara
My profound thanks are due to Sophie Cragg, for arranging my photo pass and particularly for allowing me to shoot the full show.
Poetry in Motion
After arranging my recent trip to Paris, I spotted that Fatoumata Diawara had a gig there....BUT it was a few days after I returned to Scotland. Curses...foiled again!
However, her previous gig to the one listed for Paris was also in France...in a place called Vincennes...and that was while I was in Paris. Where was Vincennes? Imagine my delight, when I learned it was a Parisian suburb...on one end of the No. 1 Metro line, no less.
I first saw Fatoumata at WOMAD 2009, when she was a backing singer to Oumou Sangare...and she stood out even then. I love her music and she is a joy to photograph.
So, I was delighted to get a photo pass confirmed. When I pitched up at the venue, I was told I could shoot for the first three songs (as is normally the case). However, before the gig, Sophie, Fatoumata's Assistant (who had arranged my photo pass), introduced herself. When I mentioned the "three songs" rule (just to confirm), she said that this hadn't come from her...and I (and another photographer) were welcome to shoot the whole gig. Woo-Hoo!
Just as well. This shot is from near the end of the gig when Fatoumata lets her hair down, in more ways than one. :-)
She is just a wonderful live performer. if you get the chance, go see her.
She's back at this year's WOMAD Festival, performing with Roberto Fonseca. I'm looking forward to it.
You can see a video of Fatoumata singing 'Bissa' here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=E82BifytoYY
You can see more of my shots of her, here: Fatoumata Diawara
My profound thanks are due to Sophie Cragg, for arranging my photo pass and particularly for allowing me to shoot the full show.