Balimaya Project began in Harlesden, northwest London, where Yahael Camara Onono first encountered Mandé drumming, reflecting his West African heritage. With a Nigerian mother and a Senegalese father, Camara Onono was immersed in diaspora rhythms and London’s diverse music scenes.
Mentored by jembe master Sidiki Dembéle, Camara Onono developed a percussive style rooted in Mandé traditions. Influenced by artists like Nahawa Doumbia, Oumou Sangaré, Salif Keita, and Ali Farka Touré; alongside Marvin Gaye, Mahalia Jackson, D’Angelo, and Vybz Kartel; he cultivated a “London ear” for the city’s jazz, grime, and funky house sounds, underpinned by African and Caribbean rhythms. Camara Onono sought to represent West African music in the diaspora, mixing it with other genres to reflect his musical vision.
He developed his skills with Afro-Venezuelan group Family Atlantica and jazz ensemble Maisha, striving to connect West African folklore with his experiences as a young Black man in London. In 2019, Camara Onono founded Balimaya Project, supported by grassroots enterprise Jazz Re. He assembled a 16-piece band, uniting musicians from various backgrounds who shared the “third culture” experience of second-generation migrants. The band aimed to highlight the specific musical and cultural nuances of African music.
In 2021, Balimaya Project released their debut album, Wolo So, drawing comparisons to Fela Kuti’s Egypt 80 and Sun Ra’s Arkestra for their powerful, polyrhythmic sound. The album received critical acclaim. This success propelled the band to major festival stages worldwide, including Supersonic Jazz in Amsterdam and SXSW in Austin, Texas. In early 2023, Camara Onono fulfilled a dream by bringing the band to perform in Senegal.
Their second album, When The Dust Settles, released in July 2023, explored personal and emotional themes, emphasizing support and brotherhood. Camara Onono’s experiences with loss, fatherhood, migration, survival, and the search for truth are central to the album. The concept of family and kinship, fundamental to Balimaya, continues to strengthen the band’s bonds.
When The Dust Settles represents a maturation in sound and approach. The enlarged band, thirteen members strong, adopted a new recording and writing process, with Camara Onono leading but also drawing on the individual styles and abilities of the band members. This collaborative spirit remains a core strength, with Balimaya Project poised for continued success and growth.
The lineup in 2023 included Yahael Camara Onono, band leader, composer, arranger, musical director, lead jembe, barra, vocals, sangban, kenkeni, atumblan, calabash, percussion; Godwin Sonzi – acoustic guitar, electric guitar, kenkeni, kidi; Jonathan Moko – bass; Jeremiah Olaleye – double bass; Jamal Wilson – keyboard, grand piano; Yohan Kebede – keyboard; Triston Dubison – drums, percussion; Adeegun Crispin Robinson – congas, batá ensemble; Michael Olayinka – talking drum, shekere, sakara, percussion; Xhosa Cole – flute, alto sax; Jaz Lee – tenor sax; Elias Jordan Atkinson – trumpet, flügelhorn; Nathaniel Cross – trombone, additional arrangement; Jali Bakary Konteh – kora; Aboubacar Konaté – dununba, kamale ngoni, barra, kenkeni; and Skanda Sabbagh – sangban, kenkeni.
Discography:
Wolo So (Jazz Re:Freshed, 2021)
When The Dust Settles (Jazz Re:Freshed, 2023)
Author: Iliana Cabrera
