Artist: Sidiki Camara 

Lead Single: August 21, 2026

Album Release: September 4, 2026
Album Launch Concert: October 18, 2026 — Cosmopolite Scene, Oslo

Malian-born, Oslo-based percussionist and cultural ambassador Sidiki Camara is set to release Ankaben, his most ambitious project to date, bringing together an extraordinary ensemble of Norwegian jazz, folk and contemporary musicians.

The album, whose title translates to “Humanity”, is a deeply personal expression of Camara’s belief in the power of music to connect people across cultures, genres and borders. Following his 2023 Norwegian Grammy (Spellemannprisen) win for Return to the Traditions, Ankaben continues his lifelong exploration of Malian musical traditions through collaboration and improvisation.

A Lifetime Connected Through Music

Camara began playing music in Mali at just 10 or 11 years old, eventually choosing music over formal education to pursue a professional career. His journey has taken him from Bamako to Brussels, where he lived from 1989 to 2006, and ultimately to Oslo, where he has been based since 2006.

Throughout his career, Camara has worked with some of the most respected names in international music. His collaborations include legendary Malian musician Boubacar Traoré, with whom he toured the United States, as well as acclaimed guitarist Bill Frisell. After Frisell encountered Camara performing with Traoré, he invited him to join his trio on a European tour, eventually contributing to the Grammy-winning album Intercontinentals. Camara subsequently spent several years touring internationally with Frisell.

His musical collaborations have continued to cross boundaries, with a career encompassing artists including Ali Farka Touré, Mamady Keita, Karpe and Esperanza Spalding.

An All-Star Norwegian Ensemble

For Ankaben, Camara has assembled an exceptional group of musicians:

  • Bendik Hofseth – Saxophone
  • Unni Løvlid – Vocals
  • Sarah Camille – Vocals / Spoken Word
  • Erik Sollid – Fiddle
  • Jacob Young – Guitar
  • Audun Erlien – Bass
  • Eirik Askerøi – Guitar

The album grew out of the acclaimed Sidiki Camara // A Life in Music performance, which debuted at Oslo World in 2024. The ensemble returned to the studio in June 2026, recording at Oslo’s legendary Rainbow Studios, with mixing and mastering handled by Martin Abrahamsen.

“Music Connects and Brings Spirit to All Peoples”

At the heart of Ankaben is Camara’s belief that music can offer an alternative to division and conflict.

“Ankaben is about meeting across genres and cultures through mutual respect and spontaneous creation. It’s a reflection of my life’s journey through sound.” — Sidiki Camara

When asked what he would most like the press to focus on, Camara highlighted humanity as the central message of Ankaben: a world in which people connect through music, togetherness and joy rather than division and war.

The project follows a series of major career achievements, including Camara’s 2023 Norwegian Grammy and the “Attestation De Reconnaissance” award presented by the Malian government in January 2026 in recognition of his contribution to Malian culture.

Camara will also appear at several upcoming Norwegian events, including the Drammen Sacred Music Festival on September 16, Djembe Tekno at Holmlia Kulturhavn on September 19, and a Sidiki Camara Group performance at Holmlia Kulturhavn on November 7.

With Ankaben, Sidiki Camara continues to build a musical world where West African tradition, Norwegian contemporary music, jazz and spontaneous collaboration can meet. His ambition is clear: to bring this music and its message of humanity to audiences around the world.

Sidiki Camara’s dream is to take his group on a world tour — carrying the message of Ankaben and the universal language of music with him.

 


Follow Sidiki Camara


Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidiki_camara_yankadi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sidiki.camara.376

Website: www.sidikicamara.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/sidikicamara