Thanks to Buddah Blaze of WAPI, I got to learn that Yossou had expressed regrets in performing during the Sawa Sawa festival scheduled to happen at the end of the month(check previous post).
It can now be confirmed that Senegalese Maestro Baaba Maal is the next big attraction during this year’s Celtel Sawa Sawa Festival brought to you by Sarakasi Trust and the Netherlands Embassy.
Baaba Maal will be headlining the Saturday May 31st performances slated for the Nairobi Arboretum from noon till 6pm.
WAPI will also grace the Arboretum venue with ‘Sawa Mtaani’, aimed at showcasing underground performing and fine artists as well as an open mic session.Ghetto Radio will also be present.
About Baaba Maal
Baaba Maal is a Senegalese singer and guitarist born in Podor, on the Senegal River. In addition to acoustic guitar, he also plays percussion. He has released several albums, both for independent and major labels. In July 2003, he was made a UNDP Youth Emissary.
Born 12 November 1953. Since his father was a fisherman, Baaba Maal was expected to become a fisherman as well. However, under the influence of his lifelong friend Mansour Seck, Baaba Maal devoted himself to learning music from his mother and his school’s headmaster. He went on to study music at the university in Dakar before leaving for postgraduate studies on a scholarship at Beaux-Arts in Paris. He has become quite famous in Africa and is also the most internationally famous musician from Senegal, with the possible exception of Yossou N’Dour.
Baaba sings primarily in Pulaarand is the foremost promoter of the traditions of the Pulaar-speaking peoples who live on either side of the Senegal River in the ancient Senegalese kingdom of Futa Tooro.
On 7 July, 2007 Maal performed at the South African leg of Live Earth.
“It strengthens my determination to work harder to contribute more to improving the living conditions of disadvantaged people of the African continent, especially young people, whose future is seriously threatened by illiteracy, poverty and HIV/AIDS. When I am talking about Africa, it is about how Africa will grow into the new millennium.” Baaba Maal
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