In Senegal, the historic Casamance Jazz Band de Sédhiou is making its big comeback, in Dakar, on the stage of the French Institute this Saturday, October 29. This group, formed at the time of independence, experienced its first hours of glory in the 70s, mixing Cuban and modern sounds with traditional songs and instruments from their land.
With our correspondent in Dakar, Thea Olivier
After years of absence, the legendary group is back on stage.
Among the fourteen members present on stage, four musicians are former members of the Casamance orchestra Ucas Jazz Band founded in 1959.
This is the case of Amadou Leye Sarr, a 70-year-old singer for whom the essential thing is to train the young generation to prepare the next generation. After several years of absence, the group tries to find its place on the musical scene but it lacks visibility due to being based in Sédhiou, more than 400 km from Dakar. He also has to face competition from mbalax, a very popular musical style in the country. The 37-year-old percussionist and singer Mamadou Cissokho has therefore joined Ucas – of which his father is the solo guitarist – in order to revive this historic group.
During the concert, the group has planned to play new pieces as well as their legendary songs, to transmit this musical cultural heritage to the youngest.
The Ucas Band has been able to highlight the cultural heritage of this region.
The historic Casamance orchestra, the Ucas Jazz Band of Sédhiou, is making a comeback in Dakar.