Njacko Backo is a percussionist and singer. He was born in 1958 in the hillside village of Bazu, Cameroon. After studying under his village elders for many years, Njacko Backo left his life and family in Bazu at the age of sixteen, in order to investigate the world beyond. He traveled through over 15 African countries, learning, playing and performing with musicians from the diaspora. He arrived in Amsterdam, ten years later, and it was there that he began to record the sounds he had gleaned from his diverse experiences in Africa.
Njacko put two albums to press during a four-year stint in Holland. He recorded an album entitled Le Destin, as well as a 45” single called Bamileke Reggae, at Amsterdam’s Weekland Studios. These recordings gave him the inspiration and the desire to seek out North American possibilities.
In 1989, Njacko arrived in Montreal, where he collaborated with Canadian and Afro-Canadian artists. In 1992, he recorded Aventure au Desert with his group, Kalimba! Kalimba! In 1996, he released his first CD titled “Nkoni,” followed by the newly released compilation CD, Resurrection, which came out in November 1998. All of his Montreal recordings were produced in Morris Appelbaum’s Silent Sound Studios. Njacko lived in Montreal for a few years and then he moved to Toronto with his family.
Njacko Backo is one of the rare Kalimba players in the western world. Poet, writer, composer, performer and accomplished choreographer, Njacko Backo makes his own instruments, including the Kalimba, the Zaa Koua (African harp) as well as a wide variety of drums and small percussion instruments.
Discography:
Bamileke Reggae (1986)
Le Destin (1988)
Aventure au Desert (1989)
Nkoni (1996)
Resurrection
Lode Yeuk (1999)
Kakoua (2000)
The Conscience of Africa (2003)
Ba Ba Oh (2006)
Ou est l’Amour [Where is the Love] (2009)
Ici Bas Rien Nest Impossible (2013)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.