Malian guitarist Vieux Farka Toure and Israeli keyboardist and songwriter Idan Raichel are icons in their own countries and abroad. Together, as the Toure-Rachel Collective, they create music that bridges geographic, ethnic, political and religious differences.
Hear for yourself at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, when the duo returns to Zoellner Arts Center at Lehigh University.
Although a collaboration between an Israeli Jew and a Malian Muslim has political implications, what inspired Toure and Raichel to work together was not to make a statement; they simply connected as artists and friends.
Toure, the son of the legendary late Malian guitar player Ali Farka Toure, is often referred to as “The Hendrix of the Sahara.” Raichel has toured with Grammy winner India Arie; performed at the Nobel Peace Prize awards ceremony in Oslo, Norway; co-written a song calling for racial harmony with Israeli president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Shimon Peres, and performed for President Obama and family at the Kennedy Center.
The Toure-Raichel Collective released a new album, “The Paris Session” in September.
Tickets are $35 and $25, general admission. A free lobby show at 6 p.m. features the group Electric Grioland performing “Journey to Mali.” Info: 610-758-2787, http://www.zoellnerartscenter.org.
