Alpha Yaya Diallo brings deep African grooves to Boundary Bay

By wazup on August 30, 2023 Comments Closed / 71 views

By the time guitarist and singer Alpha Yaya Diallo finished school in his home country of Guinea, he spoke five languages and was already an in-demand guitar player.

Much of his style was based on finding ways to transfer the melodic and rhythmic patterns of instruments such as the ngoni, the balafon or the kora onto guitar. Eventually, he moved to Europe and joined a group called Fatala, which was a part of Peter Gabriel’s Real World Label.

After a few years of touring and recording with them, he moved to Vancouver in 1991 and put a group of his own together. Since then he’s been one of the treasures of the West African music scene in North America, recording eight albums, winning three Juno awards and touring extensively. On Thursday, Sept. 7, he is bringing that wealth of skill and experience to the beer garden at Boundary Bay Brewery for what should be a phenomenal show.

His music layers hypnotic acoustic guitar melodies over a lively bed of percussion and bass. On top of all that he adds lovely vocal melodies. The grooves are steady and danceable without ever getting frenetic The grooves are steady and danceable without ever getting frenetic. His most recent album, “Doye Doye,” incorporates more political themes than most of his previous work. (Of course, you’d have to speak several languages to get the full picture of everything he’s singing about.)

Thursday nights at Boundary have been hopping all summer, so you might want to get there early to snag a seat or a prime spot on the dance floor. We’re pretty fortunate to have someone with this sort of talent right in the neighborhood, so to speak, so take advantage of the opportunity to hear some great music in a style that you won’t hear anywhere else.

The event at Boundary is also a party to celebrate the hard work of all the volunteers who helped make the Subdued Stringband Jamboree happen, so I’ll just take a moment to do the same. That’s a very smoothly run event, thanks in large part to all the volunteers. So cheers to them, and to all the other volunteers and nonprofits that make big events happen around here.

The Bellingham Celtic Festival is once again going to be taking over downtown. The schedule was just announced for the event, which takes place Sept. 21–24. Ticketed concerts are mostly at The Blue Room this time around, with Boundary Bay and Honey Moon hosting the bulk of the free concerts. Most of the workshops are at the New Prospect Theatre, The Blue Room or Presence Studios. Out-of-town headliners include the Scottish virtuosos of Talisk, the Celtic/EDM fusion of Ramblxr, and the intricately arranged quadruple fiddles of Scottish Fish. Check its website for the full schedule because there’s a lot to take in. (Full disclosure: I’m playing at this with the Moving Hats.)

I’ve got two notable local releases to tell you about that couldn’t be more different. First, Proud Failures dropped their new album of jet-fueled punk rock. “The Show Must Go Wrong” blazes through seven tracks in 18 minutes, with shout-along choruses and lots of guests to keep it unpredictable. There’s even a bit of ska. They’re also headed out on a big tour all the way to South Dakota and back.

The Unknowns also have a new EP coming out. “Uninvited” is due out Friday, Sept. 15, but the first single, “Stay Down Kat,” is out now. It’s got their signature blend of jazz, blues and pop, with a slinky groove, elaborate three-part harmonies and some cool guest saxophone by the horn players from Nuages.

JESSE’S PICKS

Jerry Steinhilber Trio
6 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 6, Lightcatcher Building courtyard
As outdoor music starts to wind down, you’ve only got a few more chances to see jazz in the beautiful courtyard of the Lightcatcher Building. Seize the day by catching the Jerry Steinhilber Trio there on Wednesday, Sept. 6.

The Shindellas
8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 7, The Shakedown
The Shindellas are a vocal trio out of Nashville that blends influences spanning the last century of “girl group” music, including pop, gospel, R&B and soul. They bring their powerful harmonies and immaculately choreographed performances to The Shakedown on Thursday, Sept. 7.

Las Cafeteras and QUITAPENAS
8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, Wild Buffalo
Las Cafeteras perform the traditional folk music of the Mexican state of Veracruz, known as son jarocho, with a few modern twists. QUITAPENAS do a more electric and eclectic take on Afro-Latin dance music. Expect the dance floor to be hopping when they both perform at the Wild Buffalo on Friday, Sept. 8.

QUITA PENAS, known for its electric and eclectic take on Afro-Latin dance music, will perform at the Wild Buffalo on Friday, Sept. 8. (Photo courtesy of QUITA PENAS)

Chris Pierce
7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, Mount Baker Theatre
Blues and folk lovers won’t want to miss the powerful voice and original style of Chris Pierce. He manages to combine traditional-sounding blues guitar and harmonica with contemporary lyrical themes and then throws in just a hint of early Bob Dylan in there as well. He’s in the Walton Theatre at the Mount Baker Theatre on Saturday, Sept. 9.

LIVE MUSIC LISTINGS

Tuesday, Aug. 29

Aslan: 8 p.m., Jazz Night
Barkley Village: 6 p.m., GrooveBot (R&B/funk covers)
Blue Room: 8 p.m., Jam:30 (open-jam night)
Boundary: 3 p.m., Out of the Ashes, 6 p.m., Paul Klein on piano
Culture Cafe: 7 p.m., Open Mic
Menace: 7 p.m., Invitational Blues Jam
Ramble Tamble: 8 p.m., The Elevator Club (hip-hop)
Ranch Room: 9 p.m., Michael Dayvid

Wednesday, Aug. 30

Bar Cicotti: 6 p.m., Ben Starner, Philip Nakarno (jazz)
Beach at Birch Bay: 6 p.m., Open Mic/Jam
Boundary: 6 p.m., Aaron Guest on piano
FireHouse: 6:30 p.m., Connections Jazz Series ft. Christian Casolary, Mike Allen, Miles Black, Jeff Johnson
Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Open Mic
Rockfish: 6 p.m., Pension King and the Dependents (acoustic rock covers)
Shakedown: 8 p.m., Bit Brigade, Shotty (video game soundtracks)
Stones Throw: 6 p.m. Badd Dogg Blues Society

Thursday, Aug. 31

Barkley Village Green: noon, Resin & Reed (Celtic)
Bistro at Shuksan: 5 p.m., High Peak Trio (funk/jazz)
Boundary: 5 p.m., Robert Sarazin Blake & The Happy Hour Band 8 p.m., Hot Damn Scandal, Shpilkis
Brown Lantern: 8:30 p.m., Open Mic
Farmstrong: 6 p.m., Pretty Much Nothing
Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Bluegrass Jam
Hotel Bellwether: 6 p.m., The Atlantics (classic rock ‘n’ roll)
Kulshan Trackside: 6 p.m., ELK; 7:30 p.m., Lightweight Champion
Mount Vernon Riverwalk: 6 p.m., Mama Dirty Skirt
Shakedown: 9 p.m., Surprise Chef, Akua Naru (jazz/funk/psychedelic)
Thirsty Badger: 7 p.m., Open Mic
That’s What I Like: 6 p.m., JP Falcon and Friends (folk/rock)
Wild Buffalo: 9 p.m., YoGirlCallMeSenpai, Neffy3600, YpLou, Zon3sb, many more (hip-hop)
Zeeks: 7 p.m., TBA

Friday, Sept. 1

Admiralty Lounge: 7:30 p.m., Andy Koch (blues)
Aslan: 8 p.m. BJ Block Trio (jazz/funk)
Beach at Birch Bay: 6 p.m., The Naked Cowboys
Birdsview: 6 p.m., Uncle Doug
Bistro at Shuksan: 5 p.m., Julian MacDonough Jazz Quartet
Boundary: 6 p.m., Chill DeVille (classic rock)
Downtown Busking Program: 6–8 p.m., Briar & Joe Seamons at Briar and State (jazz/blues/folk), Mostafa & Tommy Turnbuckle at Prospect and Bay (hip-hop), Marie, The Band at Holly and Commercial (folk)
Eagle Haven: 7 p.m., Michael Dayvid (acoustic covers)
Fireside: 7 p.m., Naughty Blokes Trio
Greene’s Corner: 6 p.m., North Country Highway (country/rock)
Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Cat Positive (solo), Where’s the Exit?
Shakedown: 8 p.m., Jungle Brothers, OG Neeks, BlkSknn (hip-hop)
Skylark’s: 5 p.m., Little Big Band (classic/Southern rock)
Stones Throw: 6 p.m., High Mountain String Band (bluegrass)
Vault: 7 p.m. Double Trouble
WinkWink: 7 p.m., No-Fi Soul Rebellion, Kurly Somthing (rock)

Saturday, Sept. 2

Beach at Birch Bay: 3 p.m., Billy Appleton Band
Birdsview: 6 p.m., Frasier Green
Blue Room: 7 p.m., Paige Woods, Michael Dayvid, Veronica North (singer-songwriters)
Deming Log Show Grounds: North Cascades Bluegrass Festival ft. Red Wine, Kruger Brothers, Kristen Grainger & True North, many more
Deming Library: 6 p.m., Marie, The Band (folk)
Eagle Haven: 6 p.m., Fortress of the Bear (blues/rock)
Fairhaven Village Tacos: noon, Carlos Cascante y su Tumbao (salsa)
Fireside 4 p.m., Singers’ Saturday
Greene’s Corner: 6 p.m., Towse, Corwin Zekely & Grace
Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Bellow Wing, Rose & The Sleeping Giants (folk)
Make Shift: 6:30 p.m., Slowfall, 3mry & Jester, Angel’s Egg, No-Fi Soul Rebellion (rock)
Kulshan Trackside: 6 p.m., Robert Sarazin Blake & The High, Wide and Handsome Band
Seafarer’s Park (Anacortes): noon to 8 p.m., AMP Fest ft. Pretty Much Nothing, The Enthusiasts, Collins Beach, many more
Shakedown: 9 p.m., Girls Know, Marble, Magenta Wave (rock)
Skagit Cellars: 6 p.m., Andre Feriante
Skylark’s: 5 p.m., Whitewing (blues/soul)
Station 49: 5 p.m., The Penny Stinkers (classic rock)
Stones Throw: 6 p.m., Rob Hutchings (acoustic covers)
Wild Buffalo: 9 p.m., Red Not Chili Peppers, guests (RHCP tribute)

Sunday, Sept. 3

Beach at Birch Bay: 3 p.m., Shannanigans (classic rock)
Bellingham Cider Co: 6:30 p.m., The Moving Hats (Celtic)
Birdsview: 4 p.m., Yellow Birds
Deming Log Show Grounds: North Cascades Bluegrass Festival ft. Red Wine, Kruger Brothers, Kristen Grainger & True North, many more
Gilkey Square (La Conner): 1 p.m., Savanna Woods
Kulshan Sunnyland: 5 p.m., Towse (folk/pop)
Kulshan Trackside: 3 p.m., North Country Highway (country/rock)
Main Street: 6 p.m., Open Mic
Old Edison: 5:30 p.m., The Dunton Sisters (country/bluegrass)
Paws for A Beer: 2 p.m., Michael Dayvid
Shakedown: 8 p.m., Public Theatre, Fox Royale, guests (indie rock)
Skylark’s: 1 p.m., The Penny Stinkers
Station 49: 5 p.m., Little Big Band

Monday, Sept. 4

Kulshan: 6 p.m., E. Pruitt (funk/jazz/R&B)
Station 49: 4 p.m., Minimum Wage (rock covers)

Tuesday, Sept. 5

Aslan: 8 p.m., Jazz Night
Blue Room: 8 p.m., Jam:30 (open jam night)
Boundary: 3 p.m., Out of the Ashes; 6 p.m., Paul Klein on piano
Culture Cafe: 7 p.m., Open Mic
Greene’s Corner: 6 p.m., Open Mic
Menace: 7 p.m., Invitational Blues Jam
Ramble Tamble: 9 p.m. The Elevator Club ft. BF Knowhere (hip-hop)
Zeeks: 6 p.m., Open Mic

Wednesday, Sept. 6

Bar Cicotti: 6 p.m., Jerry Steinhilber Trio (jazz)
Boundary: 6 p.m., Aaron Guest on piano
FireHouse: 6:30 p.m., Jazz Center of Bellingham Open House
Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Open Mic
Stones Throw: 6 p.m. Odd Mood Jam Band (rock/blues/jam)

Thursday, Sept. 7

Bistro at Shuksan: 5 p.m., High Peak Trio (funk/jazz)
Blue Room: 9 p.m., Hip Hop Open Mic
Boundary: 5 p.m., Lindsay Street (Celtic); 8 p.m., Alpha Yaya Diallo
Brown Lantern: 8:30 p.m., Open Mic
Greene’s Corner: 6 p.m., Michael Dayvid
Honey Moon: 8 p.m., Jazz Jam
Hotel Bellwether: 6 p.m., Jasmine Greene (blues/rock)
Shakedown: 9 p.m., The Shindellas, guests (soul/R&B)
Thirsty Badger: 7 p.m., Open Mic
That’s What I Like: 6 p.m., JP Falcon and Friends (folk/rock)
Wild Buffalo: 9 p.m., Frubbles, Leafs, Sam Fox, Perpetual Motion (drum and bass)
Zeeks: 7 p.m., Soul Drift (string band indie covers)