Group Saloum is one of the hottest African bands in America today. Founded by world-renowned griot percussionist Lamine Touré, Group Saloum fuses Senegalese mbalax with elements of jazz, funk, reggae, and Afrobeat. Group Saloum performs original mbalax music highlighted by the infectious rhythms of Tourés sabar drums, drawing upon the collective creativity of some of Boston and New York City's most talented musicians.
July 25, 2004 marked the public performance debut of Lamine Touré and Group Saloum at the Central Square Worlds Fair. The concert was a smashing success, drawing record crowds to the African Stage. Since then, the group has performed regularly throughout the United States. Their much-anticipated CD release in Boston took place on September 7, 2005, packing in a full house at Johnny Ds in Davis Square, Somerville. Recorded by ASCAP-winning producer Dan Cantor of Notable Productions, and distributed by Nomadic Wax, Group Saloum's debut recording has already won critical acclaim, being featured on the Afropop Worldwide radio show, Africa in America-2005. The CD hit stores nationwide on January 24, 2006.
Lamine Touré is widely recognized as one of Senegal's leading percussionists. Born into a griot family of sabar drummers, Lamine Touré has been drumming since the age of four, performing with his family troupe at weddings, baptisms, and dance events. From 1997, he enjoyed a fruitful career with the successful Senegalese mbalax band Nder et le Setsima Group, performing at Bercy (Paris), the Festival International de Jazz (Montréal), Paradise Rock Club (Boston) and Central Park Summerstage (New York). In 2001, he settled in the United States to pursue his solo career. In addition to leading Group Saloum, Touré has been serving as artist-in-residence at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and teaches sabar drum and dance classes in the Boston area.
Recent praise for Lamine Touré and Group Saloum:
"From Boston, a spectacular Afropop act specializing in, but not limited to Senegalese mbalax"
- Afropop Worldwide
"Lamine Toure and Group Saloum kick out a hard-hitting dance mix that spans the percussive fury of Senegalese mbalax and the joyful uplift of Congolese soukous"
- Banning Eyre, Boston Phoenix
"Whatever your pleasure, this album has got it. Group Saloum is a tight group made up of some of the best musicians in Boston. For a city boasting hundreds of music conservatory students and grads, this says quite a bit. Their polished act will definitely be thrilling live concert goers for years to come""
- Erich Ludwig, VP Artist Relations, Calabash Music
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