Biografia

(Extraído da WIKIPÉDIA - em inglês) - 05.04.2009:

Baaba Maal
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Baaba Maal


Background information
Born November 12, 1953 (1953-11-12) (age 55)
Origin Podor, Senegal
Genre(s) Yela, worldbeat
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter
Years active 1989–present
Website http://www.baabamaal.tv
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.

Contents [hide]
1 Biography
2 Music
3 Discography
4 Import releases
5 References
6 External links



[edit] Biography
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 life long 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 Youssou N’Dour.

Baaba sings primarily in Pulaar[1] and 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.

Baaba Maal’s latest album, a live acoustic album recorded straight from the mixing boards of his shows over the last ten years, is due for release on August 10th 2008.


[edit] Music
After returning from study in Paris, Baaba studied traditional music with his blind guitarist and family griot, Mansour Seck, and began performing with the band Daande Lenol. Maal’s fusions continued into the next decade with his Firin’ in Fouta (1994) album, which used ragga, salsa and Breton harp music to create a popular sound that launched the careers of Positive Black Soul, a group of rappers, and also led to the formation of the Afro-Celt Sound System. His fusion tendencies continued on 1998’s Nomad Soul, which featured Brian Eno as one of seven producers. In addition to his various solo releases, he was featured on two tracks - “Bushes” and “Dunya Salam” - on the concept album “1 Giant Leap”.


[edit] Discography
1984 – Djam Leelii (with Mansour Seck) – Mango Records
1991 – Baayo (with Mansour Seck) – Mango
1992 – Lam Toro – Mango
1994 – Wango – Syllart
1994 – Firin’ in Fouta – Mango
1995 – Gorel – 4th & Broadway
1997 – Taara – Melodie
1998 – Nomad Soul – Import
1998 – Djam Leelii: The Adventurers – Yoff Productions
1999 – Live at the Royal Festival Hall – Palm Pictures – Palm (DVD)
2000 – Jombaajo – Sonodisc
2001 – Missing You (Mi Yeewnii) – Palm
2003 – ‘The Best of the Early Years – Wrasse (compilation)
2005 – Palm World Voices: Baaba Maal – Palm (compilation)

[edit] Import releases
Jombaajo
Ngalanka
Ndilane

[edit] References
^ Baaba Maal: African performer sings and acts on his social conscience
Official site
rfimusique.com entry
Allmusic biography
African Music Encyclopedia entry
Afropop.org entry
Info page at WorldBeatPlanet
Baaba Maal @ Palm Pictures
Publishing rights for Baaba Maal’s work is administered by Blue Mountain Music

[edit] External links
2001 Afropop Worldwide Interview with Baaba Maal
Retrieved from “http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baaba_Maal";