A TRUE PROMISE FOR GAMBIAN MUSIC There Is a long list of next generation musicians for The Gambia but one who can well fit into the shoe of Gambia’s Kora maestro, Jaliba Kuyateh, is a twenty-five year-old lead vocalist of the Mama Africa band called Musa Jobarteh.Last Saturday, 25th July has demonstrated his potential as he stormed Alliance Franco with tunes that are most appetizing to the ear. Coming from a griot family and imbued with the Manding culture, Musa has God given talents in music. Philip Preace, a British musical expert who have worked with Musa Jobarteh for two years, spoke of his capability to become the favorite musician for The Gambia in the future.”Musa is very talented and his voice is excellent,” he said.”He is a multi-potential instrumental player and have boundless energy on stage. We think alike him and put the whole idea together. I definitely believe that he can become Gambia’s best artist because the ideas we have are new, but at the same time traditional.” Sulayman Jobarteh, a famous Gambian instrumentalist who plays eight different musical instruments said,”I am the architect of this entire band and Musa is my brother and we are from the same parents.I know him very well and I have 100% believe that he will in the future become the best musician for The Gambia.” He mentioned that their band differs from others in The Gambia because they blend the Manding music with European styles such as Jazz from France.He further stated that they’ve performed with international artists such as Jibe Drammeh from Dakar Sonareh and others from Guinea and Australia. Musa Jobarteh, in his own words, stated that he’s personally different from other young Gambian artists and he does everything with absolute confidence.He said: “My fellow Gambian musicians need more training, because only good repetition can make good reputation.There is no secret in music than training.I have a strong believe that I can one day become the top artist for The Gambia, despite the huge challenges.Tonight, the audiences will surely enjoy themselves.I will be playing Afro Salsa which is so superb, but not known by many people in The Gambia.” At 10pm, the atmosphere at Alliance Franco changed as Musa and his band displayed finely tuned songs characterized by clarity and quality. It seemed as if the beautiful sounds sermon the hundreds of people who came in immediately after the concert begun. After some munites into the concert, emotions became uncontrollable and everyone stood by their seats and danced on their feets.Even the tourist graced the occasion felt so happy and tried to imitate the way the local people were dancing. It was indeed a beautiful night. Thunderous claps also beautified the occasion after every song played. During the closing moments of the concert, the audiences did not want to hear the phrase “Last track”, because they wanted more of Musa’s amazing performance. The demands of the audiences, to continue till morning came to an end when the strings of the kora player, Jalli Burama Mbye, gave it’s final voice. After the concert, Musa said: “I’m very satisfied with my performance and promise to do more for The Gambia our homeland. I’m currently working on a fantastic clip that will be played on GRTS. My performance can tell everyone what I have in store for 2014.”He also stated that he is ready to work with anybody in The Gambian musical industry because he wants to rub minds with all artists. The many praises made by people who attended the concert, all stem from Musa’s harwork.Mama Africa band is four years old and have produced it’s first album in 30th May, 2013.One thing that is clear is that the rise of this young Gambian star is following a steady path. Muhammed Gassama,
Posted on: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 01:28:14 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015