Orchestre Baobab is a Senegalese band. It was organized in 1970 as a multi-ethnic, multi-national club band.

Put together by saxophonist Baro N'Diaye , original members included singers Balla Sidibe , Rudy Gomis , and Laye Mboup ; guitarists Barthelemy Attisso and Latfi Ben Geloune ; bassist Charlie N’Diaye ; drummer Mountaga Koite ; and saxophonist Issa Cisskho . Ndiouga Dieng and Medoune Diallo sometimes sat in with the band, and personnel chaged frequently.

The group played an Afro-Cuban-Carribean fusion. Unlike other Senegalese bands, they added Casamance harmonies and drumming (from southern Senegal), melodies from Togo and Morocco to the more common Wolof (from northern Senegal) influences. They recorded 20 vinyl albums between 1970 and 1985. Competition from mbalax , a new sound in the mid 1980s, overwhelmed Orchestre Baobab. By 1987, the band had broken up.

Reissues of their old recordings in Europe led to the reformation of the band in 2001. Orchestre Baobab toured Europe and made a new recording with guest appearances by Cuban superstar Ibrahim Ferrer and Senegal star Youssou N'dour.

External links

• anon., “Orchestra Baobab”
• Frank Bessem, “Musiques d'Afrique: Orchestre Baobab”
• Lucy Duran, “Ochestra Baobab,” World Music Central
• Chris Nickson, “Orchestre Baobab,” All Music Guide