Dusu Mali Band performs at 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20 at Fort George Brewery.

ASTORIA — Fort George Brewery welcomes the West African music of Dusu Mali Band, performing at 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20. All ages are welcome, and there is no cover for the performance. Fort George is located at 1483 Duane St.

“Dusu” means “gentle heart.” The band plays original music; most songs are written by Timbuktu-born band member Ibrahim Kelly and developed as a group. Others are based on traditional song and dance from various regions of Mali and West Africa. The music is a universal medium to be embraced and enjoyed across all cultures of the world.

Formed in 2010, the band traveled to Mali, West Africa in January of 2012 for an epic, life-changing trip. They spent the month of January traveling far across Mali to a number of spots including Sevare, Mopti, Dogon Country, and even to one of the most remote music festivals in the world, Le Festival au Desert, in Timbuktu. They carried guitars and drums and played music everywhere they could. They met a lot of people, saw a lot of amazing things, connected with friends, and were served a heaping dose of life’s lessons.

Dusu Mali Band has performed at many festivals and venues on the West Coast, including the Joshua Tree Music Festival, Breitenbush Hot Springs, the Alladin Theater, Mississippi Studios, and Roseland Theater. Dusu has also opened for successful Malian artists such as Tinariwen and Vieux Farka Toure.