WOMAD

Jamoral

From Senegal

Biography 2001:This three-piece from Senegal was founded by drummer and dancer Landing Mane, who plays the bougarabou, a set of four drums with a similar sound to Cuban congas. In his varied career he has danced at the Festival Hall (with Badejo Arts, also here this weekend) and played throughout Europe. Back in Senegal he teamed up with kora player and singer Seckou Keita, a griot who has been playing since the age of seven. Seckou writes Jamoral’s music, which has its roots in traditional West African percussion and song. The trio is completed by bass player Kevin Willoughby, who has been working and living in Senegal for more than 10 years.Biography by Campbell Stevenson, July 2001Biography provided by Jamoral's management, June 2001:Jamoral’s music originates from the border of Casamance (South Senegal) where all the musicians have worked and lived.It is a nice combination of traditional "griot" music and other contemporary elements.Jamoral is of Diola origin (a language from South Senegal) and means "Together".This symbolises the group’s dedication to music, which crosses all boundaries, and to drawing people of like minds no matter what colour or creed.The musicians work in a dynamic atmosphere with each other adding something to the basic format.As professional performers in their own right, the result is a dynamic and inspirational which draws on the deep roots of traditional African music, percussion, dance and song.Jamoral is composed by three amazing musicians who have been working together for few years.Seckou Keita is the singer, Kora player and composer of Jamoral’s music.He comes from a "griot" family, the Cissokho’s, famous family in Senegal.The term "Griot" is of French origin and refers to hereditary musicians and praise singers. Historically "Griots" had a close relationship with the Royal Court, where they acted as translators or diplomats, but it was their role as oral historians that made them so important.Thus, Seckou started to perform in Senegal and the Gambia at the age of seven with different local artists.Since 1996, Seckou has been performing all over Norway, Sweeden, India, UK, Spain, Greece, Tcheque Republic and France.Seckou has now released his first album called "Baiyo" (Orphelin).Kevin Willoughby is the bass player of Jamoral.Kevin spent much of the 80’s and early 90’s in Senegal working with African artists including Super Diamano (Rolling stones of Senegal), Youssou ’N’ Dour or Baba Maal, Ishmael Lo and Kora players including Caliba Kouyate and Solo Cissokho. Kevin brings to Jamoral his professionalism and a deep understanding of the roots of West African music. But Jamoral woul not be Jamoral without Landing Mane, the Bougarabou player (set of 4 drums which sounds a bit like the Congas from Cuba). Landing is a professional drummer and dancer from Senegal. Landing has been playing with different artists before he joined Jamoral. He participated to different festivals in Europe such as the peace festivals in France and Turkey. He toured through France for the promotion of Fram company.He was the artistic director of Bakalama in Thionk Essyl (Casamance) from 1994 to 1998.Landing is one of the founder of Jamoral.In 1999 and 2000, he performed with Badejo Arts in « Tilewa » and danced at the Royal Festival Hall in London in « Emi Jo ». In 2000, he was a member of Sakoba’s dance Company. Landing brings all his charm and personality to the stage and gives all his energy and vitality to each performance.