He was very influenced by jazz luminaries such as Coltrane, Parker and Coleman. He mixed jazz and traditional music from the lower coast of Guinea (the Soussou and the Baga). Endowed with a superb voice, Wandel surrounded himself with a highly talented group of traditional musicians. His band’s line-up included bala player Khali Camara, the flutist Mamady Mansare, Sekou “Kora” Kouyate (former director of Myriam Makeba?s band), and master drummers Aboubacar Camara and Aly Sylla (soloists of the National Percussion of Guinea).
In 1996 a French production company, Taxi Video Brousse, made a documentary about him, titled Momo Wandel Soumah.
In 2002 Momo Wandel Soumah was nominated for the BBC World Music Listeners Award.
Momo Wandel Soumah died Sunday, June 15, 2003, at the age of 77.
Discography:
Matchowé (1992)
Afro Swing (onti Musicali, 2001)
Momo Le Doyen, soundtrack (Buda Musique, 2007)
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.
