Senegal and its
Music
Situated at the
westernmost tip of Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean
between Mauritania and Guinea-Bissau, Senegal is a land of legendary
warmth and hospitality.
From the latest
mbalax sounds blasting through the heaving markets of the
cities, to the spontaneous outbursts of rhythmic singing and
clapping from the women pounding millet in the villages – music is a
constant presence in Senegalese life.
For several
decades, Senegalese musicians have been combining their traditional
African rhythms with contemporary musical influences from around the
globe. Around the 1970s, the genre of music known as mbalax
was created. Evolving from the traditional rhythms of the Wolof
people, absorbing influences from the Cuban music that dominated
Senegal in the 1960s, and incorporating Western instruments,
mbalax continues to be the pre-eminent music genre in Senegal
today, brought to the world stage by Youssou N’Dour. Other
inspirational artists fusing traditional African music with global
sounds include the intensely lyrical Baaba Maal,
Orchestra Baobab and, more recently, hip-hop group, Daara J, who
successfully mix rap with reggae, ragga and even Cuban sounds. In
short, Senegal continues to provide an immense diversity of music
for world audiences. Afro-Tema continues this tradition.
Back to
Top
History of Afro-Tema
Born in Dakar,
capital of Senegal, in the early 1960s, Makhou N’Diaye is the lead
singer and song-writer of Afro-Tema. Descended from the royal
family of Alboury and N'diadiane N'Diaye, Makhou
and his two brothers, Ibou and Lamine, were forced to hide their
musical spirit from their elders. Culturally, music was considered
the work of the griot caste alone. And it was not until the
brothers moved to The Gambia in the early 1990s that they were able
to perform together professionally. It was here that Makhou first
collaborated with Senegalese bass guitarist, Adama Diouf, forming
the group Dëkk-bi in 1994.
Relocating to the
UK, Makhou met with guitarist Clive Kilby, saxophonist Bruce Cameron
and bass guitarist Andy Maloney – and Afro-Tema was born. The
resulting sound reflects a rich diversity of musical influences and
is difficult to compartmentalize. Driving afro-funk
is interspersed with languid reggae, hot afro-latin and hi-life give
way to high-energy mbalax. With powerful vocals, smooth,
dextrous,
expressive guitar, and
injections of inspiring jazzy sax, Afro-Tema's music is
warm-spirited, infectious and hugely danceable.
Back to
Top
Musicians
UK-based musicians
Makhou N’Diaye
(Senegalese) (vocals/ keyboard/ percussion) – In the early 1990s Makhou moved to the Gambia to play with Cameroon musicians Achille
Mondo and Sam Djengue. In 1994, he formed
Dëkk-bi,
playing both traditional and popular African music on the
international hotel circuit. Since his arrival in the UK in
1997, he has been teaching traditional drumming technique and
rhythm. Most recently he has been working in the UK and
Senegal on compositions for Afro-Tema’s debut album, Kulumba.
Clive Kilby
(British) (lead guitar) - Clive’s first major influences were the
old blues players and Jimi Hendrix, who remains a key influence in
his style. He sought a new angle on rhythm and melody whilst in West
Africa, receiving training from Gambian guitarist, Bai Janha, and
guidance from Malian keyboard player, Check Tidiane Seck and
recorded with the late Gambian music icon Ousu ‘Lion’ Njie. He has
been collaborating musically with Makhou N’Diaye since 1999.
Lamine N’Diaye
(Senegalese) (drums/ percussion) – Lamine began his professional
career in the late 1980s, playing popular Senegalese mbalax.
In the early 1990s he moved to The Gambia and joined Fula Band,
whose music blends the traditional rhythms and melodies of the
Fulani people, with modern mbalax and reggae. Moving to Europe
in the late 1990s he recorded
Mbaaranaabe/Nomad with them
in 2000 before settling in France, where he works as a percussion
teacher and session musician. He has been playing with Afro-Tema
since 2003.
Bruce Cameron
(British) (saxophone) -
Initially a Classical guitarist with a Performer`s Diploma, Bruce
went on to study flamenco with Paco Pena and jazz in the Django
Rheinhardt and Bossa Nova traditions. He then took up saxophone too,
inspired by Stan Getz , but was also attracted by the sound of Fela
Kuti and Osibisa. He played in the Cambridge-based African band
Sunugal, which also featured Clive Kilby on guitar (Afro-Tema). He
loves the danceable and rhythmic aspect of Afro-Tema and aspires to
project a yearning and emotionally searching melodic line over this.
A highly versatile sax player, he also performs with Cambridge-based
Jazz Ambience, entertaining at weddings, business and Royal
occasions, and national events broadcast via the media.
Andrew Maloney (British)
(bass guitar) - Andy
has been playing with Afro-Tema since 2002. His musical influences
range from rock and
blues to jazz and jazz fusion. He also listens to a lot of Cuban and Latin
music such as Africando, The Latin Soul Brothers, Tania Maria and The Fania
All Stars. He particularly enjoys the diversity of Afro-Tema's
music, with its platform for improvisation.
Africa-based musicians
Ibrahima N’Diaye
(Senegalese) (guitar/ keyboard/ percussion) – Ibou toured
northern Senegal, home of the Fula tribe, with singer Ngari Laaw,
before moving to The Gambia in the early 1990s and joining The Fula
Band. In the late 1990s, he
joined Fula singer Abu Djiba on two
European tours and has since been based in Dakar working as a
session musician. In 1998, he recorded Ada Dji Mone with Abu
Djiba’s Jaare Nguendy and in 2000 Mbaaranaabe/Nomad with The Fula
Band.
Adama Diouf
(Senegalese) (bass) – Originating from the Casamance region in
southern Senegal, he started his musical career in the mid 1980s
touring Senegal with Super Sabor. He met up with the N’Diaye
brothers in the early 1990s and joined Makhou’s
Dëkk-bi in 1994.
He has since been playing a variety of musical styles on the
international hotel circuit and recently toured Senegal with
traditional Senegambian vocalist Ndey Niang.
Back to
Top
