Music Time in Africa

A Chat with Bien (Kenya)

The Pneuma (Nigeria) Releases New EP Sambre Mesa

The All-Girls Pharo School in Homosha, Ethiopia gets a Piano

Hip Hop Star Kao Denero (Sierra Leone) Releases New Album Heros

Entertainment Report: Dogo du Togo performs live from new album

VOA’s Heather Maxwell welcomed Togolese singer, songwriter, and bandleader Massama Dogo, better known as Dogo du Togo, to perform live from his newest album, Avoudé. Drawing his inspiration from Togo’s vaudou, bobo, and Simpa melodies, Dogo weaves his contemporary experiences with the rich, musical traditions.

Entertainment: Malian musical duo Amadou & Mariam speak to VOA

The famed Malian musical duo couple Amadou & Mariam speak with VOA’s Heather Maxwell backstage before a live concert at Wolf Trap in Vienna, Virginia. The musicians, who are both blind, have been married and making hit records for 50 years.

Entertainment Report: Pharo School Homosha receives piano from London

VOA's Music Time in Africa host Heather Maxwell speaks with Bill Odidi, a music journalist based in Nairobi, about a heartwarming story on how a piano was transported several thousand miles from London to Pharo School Homosha, a rural all-girls school in western Ethiopia.

Mozambican jazz saxophonist shares good news

The Mozambican jazz saxophonist Moreira Chonguica who won the Chevalier de Ordre des Arts et des Lettres talks with VOA’s Heather Maxwell on his upcoming projects.

Entertainment Report: Telem Uncommon Sounds performs at VOA

VOA’s Heather Maxwell brings the music of Sierra-Leone band Telem Uncommon Sounds, who recently performed live in VOA’s studios. The group speaks also about their creative vision of music fusion, inspired from a recent trip to Morocco, and their own modern twist to traditional Gumbe music.

Entertainment Report: Telem Uncommon sounds on US tour

Telem Uncommon Sounds is an 8-piece band from Freetown, Sierra Leone that came to VOA last year, when they gave a live studio concert. They’re back now promoting their debut album Telem Strong, with an East Coast US Tour that started at beginning at Berklee College of Music in Boston. The band is now performing in Washington D.C. and joins VOA’s Heather Maxwell on set of Africa 54 for a look into their ongoing road tour.

Tanzania's Damian Soul reveals upcoming single 'Hasira Hasara' on Africa54

A rising talent from Tanzania stops by at the Africa 54 studio to give people a sneak peek of his upcoming single “Hasira Hasara”. VOA’s Heather Maxell introduces singer, songwriter, composer and guitarist Damian Soul.