MUSA M'BOOB
MUSA MBOOB
Gambian master percussionist and lead vocalist Musa Mboob brings audiences an electrifying blend of Afro Manding fusion and tantalising traditional West
African rhythms stemming from the vibrant life and cultures of the "smiling coast" of Africa.
Blending traditional and electric instruments with to appeal to an international audience and the 21st century African diaspora, Musa has established a reputation as a true a master of his art and a captivating performer through his creativity and innovative approach to West African Music.
Musa learned his craft with the Gambian pioneers of Afro-Manding music, and the seminal band "Ifang Bondi", going on to make a name for himself with his unique style and approach to making the dance floor come alive.
Musa Mboob is one of Gambia's leading percussionists and has dedicated his life to the promotion of Gambian music and culture, share his talent and joy with people all over the world through live performances, workshops and traditional ceremonies.
Photo By: Yiftach Belsky
Musa is currently based in Brighton, UK and has lived in England since the early 1990s. Over the years Musa has performed in leading Gambian Cultural Festivals throughout Europe, concerts throughout the UK and traditional arts projects. Musa has also lead workshops in UK schools and cultural exchange projects with Gambian schools. Bands Musa has played with include Ifang Bondi, The Africa Express, Joko, Alan Skidmore & Ubizo, TAPS, Boka Halat, Gelawarr and Njom Music Band. Musa also set up his own band, XamXam.
The Band -
Musa Mboob and Xam Xam
Xam Xam was founded by Musa Mboob in the early 2000s and has taken various forms over the years. The starting point is always Musa's huge expertise and virtuosic performance in Gambian musical forms. Bringing his own songs and compositions to the group comprising Gambian and UK musicians, he leads the process of fusing his style with the musical backgrounds of the other members of the group. This deep collaboration between friends has resulted in several critically acclaimed albums and numerous performances in the UK, continental Europe, The Gambia and Senegal. In more recent times, Musa and the other members of Xam Xam have been in demand, lending their musical skills to other projects but are looking forward to coming back together to play the music from their most recent albums “The Gambia Sessions” and “Catching The Groove” in the near future.
Since 2017, Xam Xam’s core group members are:
Musa Mboob - leader, songwriter, percussion and vocals
Tom Phelan - keyboards and co-arranger
Luke Rattenbury - guitar
Wole Rendall - production/ bass/ backing vocals (Gambia)
Momodue Darboe - bass/ backing vocals (UK/ Europe)
The band also tours and records with additional saxophone/ horn section and percussionists, selected according to the gig size and location.
Please check out:
https://www.facebook.com/Musa.Mboob.XamXam
www.instagram.com/musamboobxamxam
MUSIC
Check out our recent videos.....
Xam Xam in the Gambia 2024
Performing at Ropetackle Arts Centre, Shoreham-by-Sea - 2018
PROJECTS
Throughout Musa’s career he has promoted Gambian music and collaborated with musicians from all over the world. Alongside the project listed below Musa has also worked with many other organizations including Gambian societies and cultural festivals throughout Europe, the Bletchley Education Arts Centre in Redhill UK, the Sotokoto Project, Music for Change, Griot World, Traditional Arts Projects (TAPS) and The Africa Express group.
Here are a selection of some of the projects Musa has created. The projects below have all been supported by the Arts Council England who have been very supportive over the years to make these projects possible.
World Music Show 2020
A collaboration with musicians from Columbia, Tanzania and Gambia sharing their local musical styles with each other along with a group of musicians from the UK. Each of the artist shared a selection of songs from their local country and taught the group how to play them. Then the group as a whole re-worked the songs adding their own personal twist. The end result of the project will be a single concert at The Brunswick in Hove where all the songs will be performed live to an audience.
Bollo 2017
Bollo means an interaction between two cultures or tribes working together for common goal. This was a collaboration between musicians and dancers exploring how music and dance works together. A group of musicians and dancers traveled with Musa to the Gambia and worked with local musicians and dancers to explore the differences of their styles. Upon returning to the UK they performed a series of concerts showcasing the music and dance created from the project.
HamHam 2007
HamHam means exchanging knowledge and involved taking a group of musicians to the Gambia who worked with four different tribes.
Musa took his band XamXam with him, along with other creative people including a belly dancer o Egyptian original living in the UK. The result was an amazing, creative fusion of performance styles and creative energy.
Watching West African music brought to life through movement was exciting.
Jokka Adda 2003
Jokka Adda means cultural collaboration and involved two British musicians traveling around the Gambia with Musa working with many local musicians and recording many songs.
This was part of a South East Arts Council funded project and they recorded many songs while in the Gambia. The inter-cultural fusion lead to exciting sounds being created as a result of the trip. Musa continues to champion fusion music through various artistic collaborations.
