Kora master Jali Hammay plans to release two new albums this Saturday at Bakoteh Junction Baa Event Garden.
The artist, whose real name is Muhamadou Saho, will present his works "Kakunung Yitand" and "Batufaalu Lodula." The first title means "Showing The Past," and the second means "The Stance of The Patrons." His albums mix old songs like "Allah Laake" and "Mama Tamba Jammeh" with new pieces such as "Kaddy Samateh" and "Aja Cessay."
In a talk with The Standard, Hammay shared his wish to make his music accessible to everyone. He gave 20 tickets to people from the Gambia Organisation for the Visually Impaired. "I want everyone to come to the launch—people who can see, people who cannot see, young people, old people, men, women, rich people, poor people," he said.
Hammay comes from a family of Manding griots. His parents were the late Jali Musa Saho and Fatou Sankiliba Sima-Suso. He learned at Brikama's Bottrop Senior Secondary School.
"I started to play the kora when I was 12," Hammay said. "I made the Wully Band in 2005. I have played music with many other artists in The Gambia and other places."
His music has reached high places. In 2006, he wrote a song for Malam Bacai Sanhá's run for president in Guinea Bissau.
Hammay plays at many big events. He brings his music to UTG school parties and special meetings. Last year, he played at The Standard newspaper's Gambian of The Year Award.
The artist, whose real name is Muhamadou Saho, will present his works "Kakunung Yitand" and "Batufaalu Lodula." The first title means "Showing The Past," and the second means "The Stance of The Patrons." His albums mix old songs like "Allah Laake" and "Mama Tamba Jammeh" with new pieces such as "Kaddy Samateh" and "Aja Cessay."
In a talk with The Standard, Hammay shared his wish to make his music accessible to everyone. He gave 20 tickets to people from the Gambia Organisation for the Visually Impaired. "I want everyone to come to the launch—people who can see, people who cannot see, young people, old people, men, women, rich people, poor people," he said.
Hammay comes from a family of Manding griots. His parents were the late Jali Musa Saho and Fatou Sankiliba Sima-Suso. He learned at Brikama's Bottrop Senior Secondary School.
"I started to play the kora when I was 12," Hammay said. "I made the Wully Band in 2005. I have played music with many other artists in The Gambia and other places."
His music has reached high places. In 2006, he wrote a song for Malam Bacai Sanhá's run for president in Guinea Bissau.
Hammay plays at many big events. He brings his music to UTG school parties and special meetings. Last year, he played at The Standard newspaper's Gambian of The Year Award.
