BATH: Chapel Arts Centre

Friday 24th May, 2019

7:30pm

Event information

Modou Ndiaye aka Mamadou Ndiaye Cissokho is a member of the famous Cissokho family of Griot musicians and oral historians from the Cassamance region of Southern Senegal.

Modou is a virtuoso kora player, singer songwriter, drummer and percussionist, with a superb repertoire of rhythms, fusing together modern and traditional beats. He plays a variety of West African instruments, ranging from djembe, sabar, calabash and talking drum to his leading instrument - the mesmerizing 22 stringed Kora (West African harp).

Modou's talent as a solo artist and his desire to create new sounds led him to compose his latest album 'Londo' recording and performing with a group of world class musicians incorporating a wonderful collection of styles and sounds and blending together an irresistible mix of beautiful harmonies with the gentle yet lively tones of the kora, the vibrant grooves of bass guitar, calabash, djembe and a variety of African percussion instruments, uniting traditional and modern sounds that will leave you invigorated and inspired!

Modou's music draws on inspiration from his homeland, his life experiences and the worlds current issues. His songs both instrumental and lyrical speak to us of topics such as emigration and travel, love, unity, loyalty and humanity as well as dedication, respect and the love we have for all Mothers around the world. With influences from Senegal, particularly Casamance, as well as Cuba, Spain and UK the blend of styles is perfection.

Modou arrived in the UK in 2002 and to date has released two of his own albums and collaborated on one.

Jalikunda 2002 An album with in collaboration with Jalikunda Cissokho, a group consisting of 8 family members and founded by his uncle Solo Cissokho

Sabou 2011 Modou's debut album

Londo 2018 Modou’s latest album

https://www.modoundiaye.com/music

Modou has also recorded with American songwriter, producer and environmentalist, Kenny Young at his Lazy moon studios for APE (Artists project earth) home of Rhythms Del Mundo, overdubbing kora and African drums and percussion rhythms for songs by popular artists such as Bob Dylan, Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, George Ezra among others for the 'Plastic album' which was released in 2018

He has performed both as a solo artist as well as with his group at festivals and concerts in 20 countries worldwide including Glastonbury Festival and Womad, Lamar Tree, Shambala, Kendal Calling, Bristol Harbourside.

His international shows have taken him to places including Dubai, Istanbul and Russia among many more and in 2013 he headlined alongside the iconic Oliver Mtukudzi or 'Tuku' which also took him to Montserrat, Guatemala, Barbados and Antigua.

Modou’s music has also been in demand from the global film industry. Commissioned by Warner Brothers in 2006, his djembe playing can be heard in the soundtrack of the blockbuster ‘Blood Diamond’.

In 2008, at the request of Brian Elsley, Modou's kora playing featured on the teenage cult series ‘Skins’.

In 2015 Modou worked with William Goodchild, William composes and produces music for film and television and has scored for the major broadcasters including BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, PBS, National Geographic international, Discovery international and Animal planet. Modou’s vocals were recorded by William to feature on the Gorongosa park wildlife series for PBS.

In 2016, connected to the Bristol symphony orchestra concert, Modou and William Goodchild were filmed for a documentary about the piece which was released on vimeo

https://vimeo.com/pixillion/koraconcerto

Web Site - www.modoundiaye.com/

YouTube - www.youtube.com/channel/UC1KGvR12hDWjCHPzYWJzQBw

SoundCloud - soundcloud.com/user-313590571/tounga

https://soundcloud.com/user-313590571/foro-ya

Facebook - www.facebook.com/modoundiayemusic

Instagram – instagram.com/modou_ndiaye_music

Twitter - twitter.com/modoumus