Omnipresent on international stages and recording productions in recent years, the Senegalese guitarist Hervé Samb has nevertheless found the time to conceive an album freely inspired by the traditions of his native land. Jolov is a daring album that does not elude heritage, it plays with it! Modern, creative, rooted, jubilant, this record reflects the personality and identity of an artist who continues to grow and surprise. A few days before his performance “Over the voices”, a major Parisian festival, Hervé Samb makes a Sunday stop at RFI.
What a long way since “Cross over” in 2009! Hervé Samb certainly developed his own career with undeniable rigour, but he also aroused the interest of his contemporaries by becoming a composer, accompanist and artistic collaborator of great talent. His many performances alongside the great figures of “L’Épopée des Musiques Noires” have established his reputation as a reliable and inspired instrumentalist. Singer Omar Pene is pleased today to have called on this virtuoso for his album Weather and would also like to extend this musical exchange with his young compatriot. Lisa Simone, too, has repeatedly praised the merits of her multidisciplinary guitarist. More recently, the illustrious Toni Green has offered the services of this precious arranger for his album Memphis-Made. And recently, drummer Mokhtar Samba and bassist Étienne Mbappé asked him to form the group SMS, which we hope will release in 2023. These are just a few examples of the stylistic prowess of this fine guitarist who has also worked with Marcus Miller, Oumou Sangaré or Salif Keïta…
The expressive force of Hervé Samb goes through a fierce desire to celebrate Senegalese culture. The fact of having invented a hectic “Jazz-Sabar” raises him to the rank of the best African creators. Just listen, on the album Teranga (2018), his rereading of Giant Steps by the late saxophonist John Coltrane, totally shaken by the rhythmic poetry of Ndongo D and Mike Ladd, to understand that his goal is to revitalize the sonic traditions of his native land through a perfect knowledge of American jazz heritage. Jolov is no exception to the rule. This new disc encourages us to know the destiny of peoples to apprehend the present with greater acuity. Lamp Faal, for example, is a tribute to Cheikh Ibrahima Faal, a non-violent resistance fighter against the colonial powers of yesteryear. This historical reminder is perhaps also the social gaze of an artist faced with the tribulations of the world.
Whether electric or acoustic, jazz or rock, fiery or delicate, Hervé Samb’s playing leaves no one indifferent. He always manages to question his audience thanks to his flexibility and an innate sense of improvisation. He can be on stage an explosive guitarist guided by the spirit of Jimi Hendrix and, a moment later, become again this subtle melodist that we had been able to discover on the album Benn in 2021. To convince yourself of this, meet on February 11, 2023 at the Trianon in Paris. He will sparkle the final bouquet of the festival “Over the voices” by sharing the poster with Omar Pene and Djeli Moussa Condé.
⇒ The website Over the voices.