Unveiling the Soul-Stirring Melodies of a West African Band that Emerged from the Heart of 'Black London'

2023-09-05 09:10:04

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Cathartic Rhythms for West African Band Born in 'Black London'

African-infused London-based jazz band the Balimaya Project is a powerhouse of sound fusion and energy. The 13-piece band is set to perform in Paris before headlining a show in London in October. The group, formed in 2019 by percussionist Yahael Camara Onono, aims to blend West African traditional Mandé music with jazz and the "sounds of black London" to create a soul-stirring style deeply rooted in rich traditions.

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Yahael, who was born to a Senegalese father and a Nigerian mother but grew up in Britain, founded the band as a way to showcase the talents of the African diaspora in London in terms of traditional, jazz, and experimental music. The Balimaya Project uses both the Maninkakan language and English to express their innovative and authentic approach. "I started this project to be innovative while rooted in authenticity... and to create a safe space to share what we do, share our music, and our experience," Yahael explained.

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The band's debut album, titled "Wolo So," was released in 2021. Their latest album, "When The Dust Settles," combines West African folkloric music and jazz. To celebrate its release, the Balimaya Project delivered a captivating performance at the Womad festival. Describing his experience, Yahael expressed his pleasure in finally being able to attend the festival after hearing about it for years and being inspired by the performances of many African artists.

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The Balimaya Project has also released two singles: "For Aziz," a composition infused with cathartic rhythms featuring Afronaut Zu, and "Anka Tulon." These songs showcase the band's percussive and horn-driven energy, filled with joy and exuberance, and encompassing a contemporary sound forged from diverse cultural layers.

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With Yahael as the conductor, the band's stage presence includes 12 other musicians playing various instruments such as percussion, keyboards, drums, brass, and guitar. "We play so many instruments, especially percussions - djembe, dounoun, and kora, combas, sangban, shekere, guitar, bass, even talking drums," Yahael highlighted. "One brass section has a sax, trombones, trumpets, flugelhorns, and flutes. And we have keys."

The Balimaya Project will be performing in Paris on September 8 at Jazz à La Villette, opening for the legendary 1980s jazz fusion band Sixtun. Yahael also holds the 22/23 Milton Court Artist-In-Residence title at the Barbican Centre in London.

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