Folklore de Baaba Maal

Daande Leñol

With the silhouette of an eternal graceful teenager, this Senegalese musician plays music without borders. Its simple and sophisticated style touches the heart. Baaba Maal was born in Podor, a small town on the banks of the Senegal River, on the borders of Mauritania.

As a teenager, he joined the group “Asly Fouta“, where he learned to play various traditional instruments. He goes on tour throughout West Africa with Mansour Seck, a griot friend. Over the concerts, from village to village, he meets the elders who tell him about the history of the region and its music.

When later Baaba Maal arrives in Paris, he immerses himself in Western sounds and finds his way. It is as an accomplished musician that he returns to Dakar. There, he founded his group “Daande Lenol“ (the Voice of the People) and produced his first album “Firin' in Fouta“.

For “Nomad Soul“, Baaba Maal calls on various international musicians: the female vocal quartet “Screaming Orpheans“, from Ireland, Robbie Shakespeare, the mythical bassist of 100% Jamaican reggae and Brian Eno, pioneer of rock and music. experimental music.

In recent years, the Senegalese musician has wanted to return to his origins by developing more acoustic music.