Mumbai : Upscale menswear and accessories brand, Blackberrys, brought music lovers in India an unprecedented opportunity under the aegis of its annual flagship event Sharp Nights. Aptly titled ‘Blackberrys Sharp Nights – Masters Of World Music’ showcased a live performance by world’s leading world music performer VIEUX FARKA TOURE at Tote this evening.

The Mumbai chapter, last in the five city music tour, had guests immersed in the high energy performance of Malian world music star Vieux Farka Toure. The internationally acclaimed Farka Tourehad the audience in raptures.

With his dazzle, fiery blues and his lilting melodies Farka Toure who in June 2010 performed at the opening concert for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa redefined live performances. His high energy, speed and dexterity on the guitar combined with his palpable charisma and luminous smile, mesmerized the audience.

Vieux Farka Toure has established himself as one of the world’s rare musical talents and guitar virtuosos with a distinct style that always pays homage to the past while looking towards the future.

Commenting on this unique amalgamation of fashion and music and its efforts to accustom the Indian audiences with the genre of world music, Mr. Nikhil Mohan, Managing Director, Blackberrys said, “Sharp Nights has always been a much awaited event. This year we are delighted to introduce world music under the Masters of World Music series. Much like how fashion is intertwined with world cultures, world music too emanates from the remarkable diversity prevalent in the universe. The performance by Farka Toure has amplified the brand experience for all our discerning consumers in Mumbai.”

Sharing his experience of performing in India, Farka Toure said, “Music is a personal expression and there are many things that inspire me in today’s world that I put in my music. My music digs deeper into the past and pushes harder into the future. Music possesses power and it affords power to those who search for meaning. When audiences worldwide encounter world music a sense of liberation often occurs, and I am thrilled to witness the same in India. I feel a bond here.”

With this first-of-its-kind world music performance, audiences received a double delight with home-grown talent Rajeev Raja performing on the very same stage. Considered one of India’s most exciting flautists, Rajeev enthralled the audience with a mixture of legato and staccato styles with influences ranging from Jazz to Indian Classical to Rock to Latin.

The evening also featured a charity auction from Blackberrys spectacular AW ’14 collection – the proceeds of which will be used to nurture Indian traditional music schools, by providing scholarships for deserving students and funds for material support.

Vieux Farka Touré isa Malian singer and guitarist and the son of the legendary Ali Farka Touré, whose music was described by Peter Gabriel as “the DNA of the Blues.”

Vieux was invited to perform at the Opening Celebration of the 2010 FIFA World Cup along with other performers including Shakira & Alicia Keys. Vieux is known for his virtuosity with the guitar – his Blues riffs reminiscent of the genius of his father, and redolent with the culture of Mali. Vieux is constantly expanding his horizons, embracing new challenges and further entrenching his reputation as one of the world’s most talented and innovative musicians.

source : Sachin Murdeshwar