Biography
This band was later known as Super Rail Band, Bamako Rail Band or, most comprehensively and formally, according to their first record Orchestre Rail-Band de Bamako. It was founded in 1970, sponsored by the Ministry of Information and the railway administration; the Malian government had, since the 1960s, been sponsoring cultural events and groups to promote national traditions, and Rail Band was among those programs.
The band performed regularly at the Buffet Bar at the Station Hotel in Bamako, performing Manding music. The band performs traditional-style music, using kora and balafon with Islamic-style vocals and elements of Latin music, in the Bambara language.
The Rail Band's lead singer at its inception was Salif Keita, and the group soon became a training ground for many of Mali's most popular performers, like singer Mory Kanté and guitarist Kante Manfila. Guitarist Djelimady Tounkara has been a member of the band for most of its history.
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