Laye Sow
Encyclopedia
Abdoulaye "Laye" Sow is a Senegal
ese singer, songwriter
and guitarist
.
At the age of ten Laye Sow 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. Passing this test easily 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 the guitar
. After graduating he became the lead singer at the National Orchestra.
The National Orchestra is made up of the crème de la crème 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 - soon he was experimenting with the fusion of their musical forms and the traditional rhythms of Senegal. This led to his unique singing style.
At twenty five he formed Jelitara Futa. For the next 16 years the band played in Africa as well as Internationally. Playing at such well known events as WOMAD, Glastonbury
, Live Eight, Larmar 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'. 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.
"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, and Richard Caswell
frames each song with guitar arrangements that feel satisfyingly apt" — Charlie Gillet, BBC Radio
.
So what makes Laye's music so different from 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 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.
He was in the UK in February 2007 when he received the news that his wife of 17 years had died. It was a difficult time. Tours were cancelled. He did not renew his contract with his management and took some time out.
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
ese singer, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
.
At the age of ten Laye Sow was charming the audiences at the Jazz Festival in St Louis
Saint-Louis, Senegal
Saint-Louis, or Ndar as it is called in Wolof, is the capital of Senegal's Saint-Louis Region. Located in the northwest of Senegal, near the mouth of the Senegal River, and 320 km north of Senegal's capital city Dakar, it has a population officially estimated at 176,000 in 2005. Saint-Louis...
, Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
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. Passing this test easily 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
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
and the guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
. After graduating he became the lead singer at the National Orchestra.
The National Orchestra is made up of the crème de la crème 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
UB40
UB40 are a British reggae/pop band formed in 1978 in Birmingham. The band has placed more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart, and has also achieved considerable international success. One of the world's best-selling music artists, UB40 have sold over 70 million records.Their hit singles...
, Bob Marley
Bob Marley
Robert Nesta "Bob" Marley, OM was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and musician. He was the rhythm guitarist and lead singer for the ska, rocksteady and reggae band Bob Marley & The Wailers...
, Ry Cooder, Buena Vista Social Club, Ali Farka Toure and Tracy Chapman - soon he was experimenting with the fusion of their musical forms and the traditional rhythms of Senegal. This led to his unique singing style.
At twenty five he formed Jelitara Futa. For the next 16 years the band played in Africa as well as Internationally. Playing at such well known events as WOMAD, Glastonbury
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
, Live Eight, Larmar Tree, Eden Project
Eden Project
The Eden Project is a visitor attraction in Cornwall in the United Kingdom, including the world's largest greenhouse. Inside the artificial biomes are plants that are collected from all around the world....
, Royal Festival Hall
Royal Festival Hall
The Royal Festival Hall is a 2,900-seat concert, dance and talks venue within Southbank Centre in London. It is situated on the South Bank of the River Thames, not far from Hungerford Bridge. It is a Grade I listed building - the first post-war building to become so protected...
, 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'. 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
Richard Caswell
Richard Caswell was the first and fifth governor of the U.S. State of North Carolina, serving from 1776 to 1780 and from 1784 to 1787....
. Unsurprisingly this music has reached the 'Sahara Blues of the Desert' and 'Acoustic Africa' compilations.
"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, and Richard Caswell
Richard Caswell
Richard Caswell was the first and fifth governor of the U.S. State of North Carolina, serving from 1776 to 1780 and from 1784 to 1787....
frames each song with guitar arrangements that feel satisfyingly apt" — Charlie Gillet, BBC Radio
BBC Radio
BBC Radio is a service of the British Broadcasting Corporation which has operated in the United Kingdom under the terms of a Royal Charter since 1927. For a history of BBC radio prior to 1927 see British Broadcasting Company...
.
So what makes Laye's music so different from others before him? Perhaps it is in his roots from the Fula
Fula people
Fula people or Fulani or Fulbe are an ethnic group spread over many countries, predominantly in West Africa, but found also in Central Africa and Sudanese North Africa...
ethnic group of West Africa? The origins of these people can be traced from the Pharaohs of Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
to nomadic tribes in Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
. Laye can trace his family history directly to the Dogan
Doğan
-Given name:* Dogan Abukay, Turkish experimental physicist and professor* Doğan Babacan, retired Turkish football referee* Doğan Köslü , co-founder of the video game developer Treyarch* Doğan Kuban, Turkish academic-Surname:...
in Mali
Mali
Mali , officially the Republic of Mali , is a landlocked country in Western Africa. Mali borders Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Its size is just over 1,240,000 km² with...
, a culture steeped in the arts, music and dancing. For many visitors today this place seems like 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
Dakar
Dakar is the capital city and largest city of Senegal. It is located on the Cap-Vert Peninsula on the Atlantic coast and is the westernmost city on the African mainland...
. This music formed the backdrop for the Presidents election
Senegalese presidential election, 2007
A presidential election was held in Senegal on 25 February 2007. The incumbent president, Abdoulaye Wade, who was first elected in 2000, won the election in the first round with almost 56% of the vote.-Date of the election:...
campaign. Using the top musicians of Senegal the music and pop promo were a great success.
He was in the UK in February 2007 when he received the news that his wife of 17 years had died. It was a difficult time. Tours were cancelled. He did not renew his contract with his management and took some time out.
External links
- Laye Sow's MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page: www.myspace.com/layesow1
- Review of Djamano: http://www.cdroots.com/orange-sow.html