User:Slamwell/Bombino (musician)

Omara "Bombino" Moctar is a Tuareg guitarist from Agadez, Niger. Bombino is the subject of the documentary film Agadez, the Music and the Rebellion.

Biography
Bombino was born in Tidene, Niger, a Tuareg encampment outside of Agadez. Following the outbreak of the Tuareg Rebellion in 1990, Bombino, along with his father and grandmother, were forced to flee to neighboring Algeria for safety. By 1997, Bombino had returned to Agadez and began life as a professional musician.

In 2007 tensions grew again in Niger and ultimately erupted into another Tuareg Rebellion. The government, hoping to thwart the rebellion in all its forms, banned guitars for the Tuareg, as the instrument was seen as a symbol of rebellion. Additionally, two of Bombino's fellow musicians were executed, thus forcing him into exile.

While Bombino lived in exile in Burkina Faso, filmmaker Ron Wyman, having heard cassette recordings of his music, decided to track him down. Wyman encouraged Bombino to properly record his music. Bombino agreed, and the recordings ultimately culminated in his upcoming album Agadez, to be released in April, 2011.

In January of 2010 Bombino was able to return to his home in Agadez. So as to celebrate the end of the conflict, a large concert was organized at the base of the Grand Mosque in Agadez, having received the blessing of the Sultan. Bombino and his band played to over a thousand people at the concert, all dancing and celebrating the end their struggle.

Quotes

 * “Blisteringly brilliant, Agadez is a must have album from young Tuareg guitar legend, Bombino.” - Gondwana Sound
 * “Omara Moctar knows how to shred... [he] positively slays.” - Pitchfork
 * “The singer and guitarist Bombino emerges from the dunes of the Sahara with his desert folk dancing in the flames. Absolutely magical.” — Les Inrockuptibles (France)
 * "Bombino’s tone distinguishes him as an emerging artist with something to say. Bright and cutting on the upswing, percussive on the downbeat, snatches of Jimmy Page, Jimmy Hendrix and even Jerry Garcia can be heard in the sound Bombino creates." - No Depression