Countdown to the Big Weekend

As Nderr Sets to Excite Senses

As Come next Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Brikama Jokor, Jama Hall and Jokor Westfield will bubble alive as the newly crowned king of Mbalax , Alioune Mbaye Nderr, arrives in Banjul later this month for a weekend of thrills and excitement.

Mbaye Nderr, who will stage eye-opening musical concerts of a lifetime experience, will descend on Banjul on the invitation of New Njoofen Desire and his shows will be sponsored by Kharoum Aluminium, DBC and Africell.

According to information that filtered to Entertainment over the week, Mbaye Nderr has already lined up a bouncy, star-studded side to excite the senses. He and his Le Setsima Group will first perform at Jokor Brikama on 25 April 2007. Jama Hall at the exquisite Kairaba Beach Hotel will get busy on 26 April as the Mbalax impresario repeat the show to audiences there. Then on 27 April 2007, fans of Mbaye Nderr will make a beeline to Jokor Westfield where the weekend of entertainment will be crowned.

PROFILE

Also known as The Prince of Mbalax          

Born: 1969  

Origin:Dakar, Senegal

Occupation(s): "Songwriter" - "Musician"      

Years active:1990s - present

Associated acts Lemzo Diamono

Alioune Mbaye Nder (born 1969,Dakar, Senegal) is a Senegalese Singer. Nder takes his name from the n'der, the drum favoured by his  griot father.

A dancer and percussionist in his youth, Nder began his singing career in 1991 with the group  "Lemzo Diamono a break-off group from the hugely popular "Super Diamono.

Lemzo Diamono also included well-known Senegalese guitarist  Lamine Faye. In 1993, Nder became Lemzo Diamono's lead vocalist and the band earned a large and loyal following over the next few years. In 1995 Nder left Lemzo Diamano to form his own band, the Setsima Group.

Nder, who's music until very recently was mostly available only on cassette, is regarded in Senegal as a modern day griot and a super star of the new ( Boul Falé) generation after  Youssou N'Dour and Baaba Maal. He is known in Senegal as The Prince of Mbalax, and by some hardcore fans - The King of Mbalax.

Mbalax is a genre of African popular music developed in  Senegal and Gambia. Evolving from the traditional rhythms of the Wolof people, and absorbing a Cuban influence, and later western Pop music reggae influences. It incorporates traditional percussion instruments and singing (in Wolof,  French, and sometimes English), with modern electric instruments such as electric guitar, electric bass, synthesizer, drum set, and also typically brass section. It was made popular by Senegalese pop star  Youssou N'Dour, who Nder has great respect for.

Two of Nder's heroes are Bob Marley and  Michael Jackson.