For immediate release:
March 23, 2012
Toronto.
Batuki Music Society presents Senegal's mystic
troubadour Cheikh Lo on April 25, 2012, 9 pm. at the Great Hall, 1087 Queen St.
West.
Born in Burkina Faso to Senegalese parents in
1955, Cheikh Lo grew up there and began his career as a vocalist and
percussionist playing West African and Afro-Cuban music with Orchestra Volta
Jazz. In 1981 he moved to Senegal
where he learnt to play drums and guitar, and adapted a variety of influences
from West and Central Africa into his music.
Cheikh Lo belongs to the Baye Fall, a sub-sect
of the Mourids or Sufism practiced in Senegal. He is a devotee of this sect and often includes praises in a
song or two on his recordings.
During his teens Cheikh Lo listened to all kinds of music and especially
Congolese rumba which was very popular throughout the continent. In 1984 he moved to Paris where he
worked as a studio session drummer for a couple of years, especially working
with Congolese and Cameroonian musicians.
Cheikh Lo's first recording 'Doxandeme' (immigrant), on cassette,
recounts his experiences as a Senegalese immigrant abroad released in 1991,
sold very well and earning the award of 'Nouveau Talent' in Dakar.
One of Senegal's greatest artists Youssou
N'Dour, first met Cheikh Lo as a session musician in 1989, and immediately
liked his voice. Youssou N'Dour
later recorded and produced Cheikh Lo's first album, 'Ne La Thiass', in
1995. Ne la Thiass, a
semi-acoustic Spanish-tinged take on the popular 'mbalax' style was a success
in Senegal. His second album
'Bambay Gueej', co-produced by Nick Gold and Youssou N'Dour was released in
1999 under the World Circuit label.
Cheikh Lo has also worked collaboratively on other recordings with
friends Pee Wee Ellis and Tony Allen.
Cheikh Lo has toured successfully abroad over
the years and picking new sounds and influences along the way. His latest tour in November 2011, was
as part of 'Still Black, Still Proud', an African tribute to James Brown at the
Royal Conservatory in Toronto alongside Pee Wee Ellis, Maceo Parker, and Vusi
Mahlasela. Cheikh Lo is now based
in Dakar, Senegal, where he is playing regularly with his band and immersing
himself in the city's music scene.
Cheikh Lo is not only a distinctive guitarist often seen wearing his signature
gown of colourful patches of cloth and dreadlocks, he is also an artist who
continues to evolve by embracing musical styles from around the world and
incorporating them into his music.
Date: April
25, 2012.
Venue: Great
Hall, 1087 Queen Street West, Toronto.
Ticket: Advance
$25 @ batukimusic.com, Door $30.
Time: Doors
open 8:00 p.m., Show starts 9:00 p.m.
Info: info@batukimusic.com www.batukimusic.com
Batuki Music Society gratefully acknowledges the
support of the Ontario Arts Council and Canadian Heritage. Thanks to promotional partner Small
World Music Society.
-30-
Batuki Music Society360A Bloor St. W.P.O. Box 68585Toronto, ONM5S 1X0
batukimusic@yahoo.com www.batukimusic.com
"nurturing and strengthening cultural diversity through music and the arts."
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