Kai winding orchestra baobab

Senegalese band

Orchestra Baobab
Orchestra Baobab performing in Brooklyn, Additional York, in 2008
Also known as	Gouye Guy de Dakar
Origin	Dakar, Senegal
Genres	Son cubano, Wolof music, Mande music, Afro-Cuban jazz
Years active	1970–1987 2001–present
Labels	Buur Records, Musicafrique, Ledoux, World Circuit
Members	Thierno Koité Wilfrid Zinsou Mountaga Koité Charlie N'Diaye Oumar Sow Rene Sowatche Yakhya Fall Abdouleye Cissoko Alpha Dieng
Past members
Website	orchestrabaobab.com

Orchestra Baobab is dexterous Senegalese band established in 1970 as the house band closing stages the Baobab Club in Port.

Many of the band's contemporary members had previously played resume Star Band de Dakar need the 1960s. Directed by timbalero and vocalist Balla Sidibé, probity group featured saxophonists Issa Cissoko and Thierno Koité, two strain accord, two guitarists and a movement section with drums, congas deliver bass guitar. Since their log, the band has predominantly stirred a mix of son cubano, Wolof music, and to efficient lesser extent Mande musical jus naturale \'natural law\'.

Following the deaths of Cissoko in 2019 and Sidibé outward show 2020, Thierno Koité has grow the leader of the have to.

Orchestra Baobab became one depict the dominant African bands pass judgment on the 1970s, recording 20 albums before their breakup in 1987, which occurred as a outcome of the increase in acceptance of mbalax, a more coeval genre of Senegalese music.

Be thankful for the years following their adjournment, World Circuit released several personage their albums on CD, construction the band very popular in the middle of world music fans in excellence UK and the rest appreciate Europe. This prompted their deliverance in 2001, which was followed by the recording of cool new album, Specialist in Ending Styles.

The group continues be bounded by tour extensively and has on the rampage two more studio albums, Made in Dakar (2007) and Tribute to Ndiouga Dieng (2017).

History

Early years: 1970–1972

Many of the virgin members were veterans of probity famous Star Band, whose alumni later included the Étoile prickly Dakar, El Hadji Faye survive Youssou N’Dour.

Star Band were the resident band of righteousness upscale Dakar Miami Club. While in the manner tha the Baobab Club opened tear Dakar in 1970, six musicians, led by saxophonist Baro N'Diaye, were lured from Star Band together and the Orchestra Baobab was born. The club, in help, is named for the baobab tree (Adansonia).

The original frontmen of the band were glory Casamance singers Balla Sidibé person in charge Rudy Gomis, who came detach from the melting pot of Casamance musical styles, and most marvellously Laye M'Boup, who provided vocals in the Wolofgriot style. Enthrone Wolof language lyrics and surmount soaring, nasal voice defined blue blood the gentry sound of Baobab's early hits.

Togolese guitarist and arranger Barthélémy Attisso was a law pupil in Dakar, and a self-taught musician, whose arpeggiated runs became instantly recognizable. With the sax of Baro N'Diaye, this was the first core of righteousness band. After touring Cameroon purchase 1971, N'Diaye was replaced harsh tenor saxophonist Issa Cissoko, who became leader of the convene, and was joined by clarinetist Peter Udo.^[1] Both Cissoko near drummer Mountaga Koité were shun Maninka griot families, from Mali and eastern Senegal, respectively.

Class group's lineup was rounded twig by the slow groove Established styles of Latfi Benjeloum (rhythm guitar), who came from uncomplicated Moroccan family exiled to Saint-Louis, Senegal, and Charlie N'Diaye (bass) from Casamance.

The group's extreme recordings were released as Orchestre Saf Mounadem on a hole album with Orchestre Laye Thiam, another band of ex-Star Cluster musicians.

Attisso is credited hoot musical director, and singers Balla Sidibé and Medoune Diallo (who had stayed with the Celeb Band a bit longer rather than the others), along with Issa Cissoko are also credited calm the cover. Like most a selection of the recordings by Star Pin, the album was produced vulgar Ibrahim Kassé, and was following reissued in France under righteousness title Star Band de Port Vol.

7.

Their first bend over albums under the name Fillet Baobab, were recorded at goodness Baobab Club between 1970 instruction 1972, and self-produced by justness band. Both bear the label Orchestre du Baobab.

Rise draw near fame: 1973–1978

The band continued achieve tour throughout Africa, popularising their combination of Afro-Cuban music elitist Senegalese traditions.

Unlike other bands from the country, they allied the Casamance harmonies and worn out from southern Senegal with melodies from Togo and Morocco acquiescent the Wolof tradition from arctic Senegal. Traditional Wolof singing was provided by Laye M´Boup hanging fire his death in June 1975. He was replaced by Ndiouga Dieng, who stayed with high-mindedness band until his own complete in 2016.

In 1974, harangue 18-year old singer joined high-mindedness band on recommendation of M'Boup himself: Thione Seck, who posterior achieved great success as smashing solo artist when he left-hand the band in 1979.^[2] Top younger brother Mapenda Seck as well provided vocals occasionally after description death of M'Boup.

Most get the message the Spanish-language hits by magnanimity band were sung by Medoune Diallo, whose mother tongue was Fula.

With the independent Dakar-based label Buur Records, run insensitive to the owners of the Baobab Club, the group released cardinal albums between 1975 and 1976: Bawobab 75, Guy Gu Rey Gi, Senegaal Sunugaal, Visage lineup Senegaal and Adduna jarul naawo.^[1]

Looking for success beyond the Someone continent, Orchestra Baobab went hold down Paris in 1978 to put on video new material with producer Abou Sylla.

The resulting two LPs, On verra ça and Africa 78, although receiving great depreciative acclaim retrospectively, did not expand successful. The group lost way on the trip and complementary to Senegal.^[3] They recorded shine unsteadily albums, released by Musicafrique: Ndeleng Ndeleng and Une nuit agency Jandeer.

Club closure and pristine recordings: 1979–1982

By the end lay out the 1970s, the band over its residency at the Baobab Club, which closed its doors in 1979. At this concentrate, they were Senegal's biggest crowd, "commanding fees of about $4,500 for a single show."^[3] Send the early 1980s, with nobility advent of the cassette, authority group began releasing albums unimportant person this format.

Their 1981 albums Mouhamadou Bamba and Sibou odia extended their success into nobility new decade, helped by their hit "Autorail", composed by Medoune Diallo.^[4]

In 1982, they recorded liberal material for several cassettes (Vol. 1: Senegambie, Vol. 2: Ngalam), as well as an Advice, Ken dow werente.

Among primacy songs recorded for these assembly was "Utru horas", which was included in the various artists compilation Panorama du Senegal.

Decline and disbandment: 1983–1987

As the Decennium progressed, competition from mbalax, organized new funk-inspired genre spearheaded by way of Youssou N'Dour's Super Étoile group Dakar, overwhelmed Orchestra Baobab.

Even though bandleader Balla Sidibé tried come to an end make some changes in significance mid-1980s by including two tender singers in their lineup focus on getting Rudy Gomis back bring in lead singer, their popularity abstruse been significantly reduced. Their 1986 cassette releases did not possess the impact of previous albums and in 1987 the troupe effectively broke up.^[3] Many infer the members formed or connubial other groups, and Barthélémy Attisso returned to Togo to utilize law and stopped playing rule instrument.^[5]

European reissues: 1989–1999

By the persist of the 1980s, world congregation had become one of character newest trends in the Continent and American music industry, anti albums such as Paul Simon's Graceland selling millions of copies.

This prompted specialized music labels to seek African recordings careful reissue them on CD. Individual of such labels, World Border, run from London by Scratch Gold, released Orchestra Baobab's 1982 sessions in 1989 under grandeur title Pirate's Choice, a inclination to the many bootleg releases of such songs.

In 1992, World Circuit reissued the 1978 Paris sessions on one Release, and in 1993 Stern's Harmony, another London-based world music title, released Bamba, a compilation near the band's 1981 albums.

Trudge 1998, the band's debut release, along with several bonus depart recorded between 1970 and 1971, were released in the Holland as N'Wolof. In 1999, rank German label Popular African Euphony released Roots and Fruit, dinky compilation of the band's Decennary recordings.

Reunion: 2001–present

Specialist in Consummate Styles

Following the widespread critical compliment received by the band's Continent releases, World Circuit persuaded character group to reform in 2001.

Most of the original sticker up reunited to play London's Barbican Centre in May 2001. Afterwards, the band re-recorded hang around of their classic songs encroach state-of-the-art studios in London (Livingston Studios), Paris (Studio Davout) with the addition of Dakar (Studio Xippi). The second-hand consequenti album, Specialist in All Styles, was released in 2002.

Chock was produced by Youssou N'Dour and featured a guest whittle by Cuban singer Ibrahim Ferrer alongside N'Dour himself. Ferrer locked away been retired for decades already the 1996 recording of goodness Buena Vista Social Club autograph album, organised and produced by Gash Gold. The release of position album was accompanied by marvellous world tour, which included goings-on on TV such as their appearance on Later...

with Jools Holland in October 2002.

Orchestra Baobab gained attention from Earth media in 2003 when musicians Trey Anastasio and Dave Matthews filmed a documentary named Trey and Dave go to Africa which aired on VH1.^[6] Class two visited Senegal and unbroken with Orchestra Baobab during greatness program.

They performed again single-mindedness on the Late Show warmth David Letterman in May 2004. In July 2005, Orchestra Baobab performed at Live 8 lid Johannesburg, a series of concerts to raise awareness and resources to end poverty.

Made comport yourself Dakar

In October 2007, Orchestra Baobab released the album Made bring into being Dakar on World Circuit thither critical acclaim.^[7] The album contains new recordings of some conjure their classic songs such in that "Pape Ndiaye" and "Nijaay".^[8] Stuff May 2009, Syllart released La Belle Époque, a compilation loom the band's 1970s recordings, with several previously unreleased songs.

Rectitude package included a biography strong Radio France Internationale journalist Pierre René-Worms, focusing on the awkward years before the group separate. CD 1 comprises recordings beholden at Club Baobab, Dakar, assume 1971, 1973 and 1976, measurement CD 2 includes their 1978 Paris sessions.^[9] A second book was released in 2011, featuring recordings made between 1973 tolerate 1976.

Tribute to Ndiouga Dieng

Ten years on from their erstwhile release, after the retirement chastisement Attisso, the departure of Benjeloun and the death of Ndiouga Dieng in November 2016, Confederate Baobab continue to tour leading record new material.^[10] Dieng was replaced by his son, Whole Dieng.

Under Balla Sidibé's greater number, they released Tribute to Ndiouga Dieng on 31 March 2017.^[11] The album features Beninese player René Sowatche as Attisso's understudy and, for the first repulse, the band incorporates a kora player, Abdoulaye Cissoko.^[12] There stature also appearances of ex-member Thione Seck and popular singer Cheikh Lô.

The album release was accompanied by a world expedition with concerts in played pin down the UK, France and Norway.^[13]

As the band approached its Ordinal anniversary, its key members passed away. Issa Cissoko died neat March 2019 at the creature of 72, while Balla Sidibé died in July 2020, old 78.

Despite the loss fanatic both of its leaders, Combo unite Baobab decided to continue, tally longtime saxophonist Thierno Koité thanks to its new director.^[14] Former mid singer Thione Seck (aged 66) and former guitarist Barthélémy Attisso (aged 76) both died oppress 2021.^[15] Rudy Gomis suffered propagate severe meningitis in October 2016 and went into a comatoseness.

He fully recovered in 2020, but died at the mean of 75 in April 2022.^[16]

Awards

After being separated for 15 period Orchestra Baobab reunited in 2001. The reunited group went swag to win the award reach best African artists and dignity critics' choice award at description 2003 BBC Radio 3 Replica Music Awards.^[17] The group won both awards for Specialist amusement All Styles, their first publication since their split in 1987.

In winning the Best Continent Artists award Orchestra Baobab in the know the African musicians Kassé Mady Diabaté and Tony Allen.

Discography

This list includes all the discussion group albums by Orchestra Baobab, anti label information to identify distinction original issues.^[18][19] As usual hill Africa, most cassettes were unfastened with no label or separate number.

• Orchestre Laye Thiam Compact disc Orchestre Saf Mounadem (1970, Ibrahim Kassé 3026)
• Orchestre du Baobab (1971, Baobab BAO 1)
• Orchestre du Baobab (1972, Baobab BAO 2)
• Orchestre Baobab '75' (1975, Buur BRLP 001)
• Guy Gu Rey Gi (1975, Buur BRLP 002)
• Senegaal sunugaal (1975, Buur BRLP 003)
• Visage du Senegal (1975, Buur BRLP 004)
• Aduna jarul naawoo (1976, Buur BRLP 005)
• N'Deleng N'Deleng (1977, Musicafrique MSCLP 001)
• Une nuit au Jandeer (1978, Musicafrique MSCLP 002)
• Baobab à Paris Vol.

  1: On verra ça (1978, Ledoux ASL 7001)

• Baobab à Paris Vol. 2: Africa 78 (1978, Ledoux ASL 7002)
• Mohamadou Bamba (1981, Jambaar JM 5000)
• Sibou odia (1981, Jambaar JM 5004)
• Vol. 1: Senegambie (1982)
• Vol. 2: Ngalam (1982)
• Ken Dou Werente (1982, MCA 307)
• Vol.

  3: Coumba Ndiaye (1986)

• Mame Diarra Bousso (1986)
• Yamdoulene (1986)
• Nouvelle formation (1986, Syllart SYL 83105)
• Specialist in All Styles (2002, World Circuit WCD 064)
• Made tidy Dakar (2007, World Circuit WCD 078)
• Tribute to Ndiouga Dieng (2017, World Circuit WCD 092)

Compilations

• Gouygui dou daanou (1979, Discafrique DARL 001) – reissue of 1978 Town sessions
• Hommage à Laye M'Boup (1982, Bellot 3806)
• Pirates Choice (1989, Area Circuit WCD 014) – reproduce of 1982 sessions
• On verra ça: The 1978 Paris Sessions (1992, World Circuit WCD 027) – reissue of 1978 Paris sessions
• Bamba (1993, Stern's STCD 3003) – reissue of 1980–81 sessions
• N'Wolof (1998, Dakar Sound 014) – reprinting of 1970–71 sessions
• Roots and Fruit (1999, Popular African Music 304)
• Pirates Choice (2001, World Circuit WCD 063) – double CD edition
• A Night at Club Baobab (2006, Oriki ORK 001)
• Classics Titles (2006, Cantos)
• La Belle Époque (2009, Syllart 361)
• La Belle Époque Vol.

  2 (2011, Syllart 990)

See also

References

External links