Malian-born, Oslo-based percussionist and musician Sidiki Camara presents his latest original album Ankaben, a work whose title means “Humanity.” The album brings Malian musical traditions together with Norwegian jazz, folk and contemporary sounds in a rich, collaborative exploration of connection across cultures.
Recorded with an exceptional ensemble of Norwegian musicians, Ankaben is built around improvisation, organic interplay and the belief that music can bridge differences. Rich percussion, organic instrumentation and a powerful sense of togetherness define the sound, resulting in a distinctive World Music release that carries strong jazz and West African influences.
Sidiki Camara’s career spans more than five decades. Rooted in the Manding musical traditions of West Africa, he has developed a unique voice through collaborations that cross jazz, folk, contemporary and African music. His international work includes projects with Boubacar Traoré, Bill Frisell, Ali Farka Touré, Mamady Keita, Karpe and Esperanza Spalding. A Spellemann-winning artist, Camara continues to explore the expressive power of percussion, improvisation and cross-cultural dialogue through his music.
Ankaben stands as both a personal and collective statement, a celebration of shared humanity expressed through rhythm, improvisation, and the meeting of musical worlds.
About Sidiki Camara
Sidiki Camara is a Malian-born, Oslo-based percussionist and musician with a career spanning over fifty years. Grounded in Manding traditions and shaped by extensive collaborations across genres and continents, he is known for his deep commitment to improvisation, rhythmic excellence, and music as a force for connection. Ankaben (“Humanity”) is his latest original album, uniting West African roots with Norwegian jazz, folk and contemporary expression.
Ankaben is available now.