Oumar TIMBO

Son of the Malian diaspora, Oumar Timbo’s first musical steps were in the Lorraine region of France. There he starts playing the guitar, rubbing shoulders with a regional alternative rock band called “Esperal” from the new wave period. In quest of new sounds and a different relation with music, he moves from his native north east of France to the sunnier climes of Montpellier in the south.

He makes his reggae debut with Papa RasRod and Destiny, followed by a short spell with “Zion”, a combo from La Réunion and an encounter with “Fitt Band Experience”.

This emblematic band on the Montpellier music scene in the 90s delivered its message of tolerance and understanding among peoples across Europe, with a blues-tinged reggae mixed with m’balax rhythms. Fitt Band has never stopped questioning its “riddim” and the fundamentals of black music, whether it be rock or acoustic. The band splits after three albums distributed all over Europe and Africa and numerous gigs.

With the Fitt Band experience behind him, Oumar can now lay down his guitar and concentrate on event-related activities, with S.O.P. (Style, Organisation and Production), a production agency located in the Languedoc region. There he meets major artists from the international reggae scene, the most determining meeting being with Tiken Jah Fakoly, who persuades him to leave the world of studios and communication to join him on an almost uninterrupted five-year international tour.

Back from this journey, Oumar now spends his time between France and West Africa and cultivates his art between musical encounters and collaborations (Alpha Blondy,Yami Bolo,Manjul, Dolais Kib, Natty Dread, TakanaZion, KokoTanjah, Bishop, Assetou Kanouté, Dreadlam, Ousmane Al Kara, Ras Lion…).