Orchestra Baobab

West Africa's most iconic band, Orchestra Baobab, was established in 1970 and todays band has as much fresh blood on stage as they have strong roots! The band consists of enthusiastic musicians who get the audience ready to dance all night long - as if we were at the Baobab Club in Dakar.

"Variation and breath! Music that makes you smile" - BBC

Orchestra Baobab has shaped the music scene in Dakar, Senegal for several decades, with its unmistakable sound heavily influenced by Cuban music. Sailors brought Cuban music to West Africa in the 1940s, and the orchestra blended it with the African music genres of Wolof and Mandé.

"Cult heroes" - The Guardian

The album "Tribute to Ndiouga Dieng" from 2017 was described as a stylish comeback for the band, which had taken a break. Musician stars Youssou Ndour and Ibrahim Ferrer are big fans of the band, and both sang on this album.

"Their musical essence is as strong as ever" - Evening Standard

The newspaper Popmatters about the vinyl "Specialists in all styles" made for the band's 50th anniversary: "Strong grooves, sensual horns and strings - and the vocals feel like an embrace. An album that belongs to the golden times."

Once again, we will fill Cosmopolite with Afro-Cuban rhythms, Portuguese melodies, and Congolese rumba!

We are excited to have West Africa's most iconic band back - who truly know how to raise the roof!

 

Line up:
Zaccharia Koité - vocals and timbales
Mamadou Mountaga Koite - drums and timbales
Moussa Sissokho - congas
Yahya Fall - rhythmic guitar
Rene Sowatche - lead guitar
Wilfrid Zinsou - saxophone and trombone
Seydou Nourou Koite - saxophones
Malick Sy - Bass
Ndeye Korka Dieng - Singer