Malian-born, Oslo-based percussionist Sidiki Camara is preparing to release Ankaben, a powerful new album built around one simple idea: humanity through music.
Meaning “Humanity”, Ankaben brings together Camara and an exceptional ensemble of Norwegian jazz, folk and contemporary musicians, creating a meeting point between West African musical traditions, Norwegian music and spontaneous improvisation.
A Spellemann-winning artist, Camara has spent more than five decades developing a career that has taken him across continents and musical worlds. He began playing in Mali at just 10 or 11 years old before choosing music as his professional path. After years in Brussels, he eventually settled in Oslo in 2006, where he has become an important figure in Norway’s diverse music scene.
His career has included collaborations with some remarkable names. Camara toured with legendary Malian musician Boubacar Traoré, and during a US tour caught the attention of acclaimed guitarist Bill Frisell. That meeting led to Camara joining Frisell’s trio for a European tour and contributing to the Grammy-winning album Intercontinentals. He subsequently spent several years performing around the world with Frisell.
His musical journey has also brought him together with artists including Ali Farka Touré, Mamady Keita, Karpe and Esperanza Spalding, reflecting a career defined by collaboration rather than musical boundaries.
Now, Ankaben brings that philosophy into focus.
Camara has assembled a remarkable Norwegian ensemble featuring Bendik Hofseth on saxophone, Unni Løvlid and Sarah Camille on vocals, Erik Sollid on fiddle, Jacob Young and Eirik Askerøi on guitar, and Audun Erlien on bass.
The album developed from Sidiki Camara // A Life in Music, an anniversary performance that debuted at Oslo World in 2024. The chemistry created on stage was subsequently taken into Rainbow Studios in Oslo in June 2026, where the ensemble captured that live energy in the studio.
For Camara, Ankaben is about more than bringing different musicians together. It reflects his belief that music can create understanding between people.
“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.”
That message of connection is central to the project. Camara describes music as a way of bringing people together through humanity, joy and togetherness, imagining a world where the spirit of collaboration found in music could replace division and conflict.
The album arrives after another significant milestone in Camara’s career. Alongside his 2023 Norwegian Grammy win for Return to the Traditions, he was awarded the “Attestation De Reconnaissance” by the Malian government in January 2026 in recognition of his contribution to Malian culture.
With the Ankaben album release scheduled for September 4, 2026, Camara will continue the project on stage, including an album launch concert at Cosmopolite Scene in Oslo on October 18.
Ultimately, Ankaben is a continuation of what Sidiki Camara has spent his life doing: using rhythm, tradition and collaboration to bring people together.
And his next ambition is just as expansive — to take the Sidiki Camara Group on a world tour, carrying the music and message of Ankaben to audiences around the globe.
