Sabari

Sabari are a West African band whose ability to enjoy themselves as much as their audience is simply stunning!

Not only are the band excellent musicians, playing West African acoustic instruments, and wear stunningly colourful West African dress but they also can provide a 'drumming workshop' where mini drums/bongos are passed around to guests at the beginning of the event and everyone is 'taught' the rhythm! Fantastic fun for any event!

The band was formed by Malo Sonko who moved to London from Senegal around 5 years ago. Community spirit in Senegal is still very strong and this is transposed to the group where everybody is very supportive of each other. They feel that this way people do not feel loneliness that can be experienced in modern Western societies.

The best example is the significant role played by music and dance in the Senegalese society where everybody is welcome, not only to listen but also join the party. Sabari's reflection of Senegalese values suits perfectly the sharing mood of the moment. Give, receive, share...with music and dance as the main catalyst!

Sabari never plays better than when the audience responds to their rhythms. As soon as they start their first song, the audience are up and dancing and already cheering for more. Their lead drummer, Malo Sonko, is a griot* of the Mandinka culture and the group performs traditional songs, rhythms and dances, which he has been playing since he was a child growing up in Senegal.

* A griot is a West African performer who perpetuates the oral traditions of a family, village, or leader by singing histories and tales. Griots typically perform alone, accompanying themselves on a stringed instrument, and are considered by many musicologists a critical African root of the solo acoustic blues that developed among African American communities during the early 20th century.