LAYE SOW, ‘An addictive new find – it’s rare to hear such a perfect combination of voice and guitar – Laye Sow is surely one of the best young Senegalese singers” - Charlie Gillett (BBC Radio).
At the age of ten he was charming the audiences at the Jazz Festival in St Louis, Senegal when he was spotted by the legendary Senegalese singer Papa Seck. Recognizing the extraordinary vocal talent of this young boy, he arranged for him to be auditioned at the National Music School. Laye was soon to be following in the footsteps of Youssou n' Dour and Baaba Maal and to learn his crafts of singing, performing, writing, playing drums and guitar. After graduating he became the lead singer at the National Orchestra.
The National Orchestra is made up of the creme de la creme of musicians living in Senegal. This Government sponsored Orchestra acts as an ambassador to the country supporting national celebrations, events and performing throughout Africa and Internationally. By the age of 22 Laye was known in 10 Countries and was a regular on TV and radio.
His travels introduced him to the music of UB40, Bob Marley, Ry Cooder, Buena Vista Social Club, Ali Farka Toure and Tracy Chapman and soon he was experimenting with the fusion of their musical forms and the traditional rhythms of Senegal. This has led to his unique singing style.
At twenty five he formed Jelitara Futa. For the next 16 years the band played in Africa and Internationally. Playing at such well known events as WOMAD, Glastonbury, Live Eight, Larmer Tree, Eden Project, Royal Festival Hall, National Theatre and numerous other festivals and venues across the World. He is a superstar in Senegal where he is loved for his on stage performances.
In 2003 a meeting with Steve Marshall Producer led to a change in musical direction and a successful collaboration on his next two albums 'Mami and more recently 'Djamano' Orange World Records. The large band sound was dropped to reveal the purity and range of his voice with each track performed with the English blues guitarist Richard Caswell. Unsurprisingly this music has reached the 'Sahara Blues of the Desert' and 'Acoustic Africa compilations.
So what makes Laye's music so different to others before him? Perhaps it is in his roots from the Fula ethnic group of West Africa? The origins of these people can be traced from the Pharaohs of Egypt to nomadic tribes in Ethiopia. Laye can trace his family history directly to the Dogan in Mali a culture steeped in the arts, music and dancing. For many visitors today this place seems like a paradise on earth but life here is hard and with no way of recording events the stories of the ancestors are passed down through the generations through song and story telling. Like his fathers before him Laye sings of everyday events and people he has known, of loves and passions of life and death. As his audience has widened the more difficult subjects that beset Africa are expressed in his lyrics.
In 2006 Laye wrote and produced the 'Presidential Tapes' in Dakar. This music formed the backdrop for the Presidents election campaign. Using the top musicians of Senegal the music and pop promo were a great success and the President elected.
So what of the new album? Here we find the performer again. The man who can hit the notes that makes the hair on the back of your neck curl. The man who with a twitch of his shirt has the audience teased into dancing and singing. The blues have been left behind and in their place are the rhythms of Reggae, Reggae Dub, Cha, Cha, Cha and Salsa. Fusion music at it's best. Music to drive to, music to dance to and music to be moved by...and a great audience to be flirted with. Laye currently lives in London and will be performing at theatres, clubs and festivals in the UK and Europe and involved in on-going musical projects throughout 2008/9
LAYE SOW BAND - 6-piece band & LAYE SOW Solo & 5-piece acoustic band
AVAILABLE UK/EUROPE MAY-DECEMBER 2008
Tour Manager Contact Crispin Thomas CTM UK
++ 44 (0) 1453 757376 & ++ (0) 7837 798463
Email: CTM
www.ctmuk.com
www.myspace.com/ctmuk
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Sow far, so good. (Sorry, couldn't help it - you must hear that one a lot). Anyway, thanks for the add and the hand of friendship. Cool music, by the way. Don't think that I can make your show though.
