Jaaleekaay

Jaaleekaay is a West African word in the Wolof language meaning “crossing point”. It is also an extraordinary musical collaboration between Australian guitarist Steve Berry and two of Gambia’s leading musicians - the highly celebrated singer Yusupha Ngum and kora prodigy Amadou Suso. It’s a combination that stems from a fortuitous meeting in West Africa, and makes for a passionate mix of contemporary musical prowess and deep cultural tradition.

Amadou Suso is a direct descendent of Korea Musa Suso, the man who first brought the kora to the world over seven hundred years ago. As such he is an important Griot musician and combines his blood born understanding of the tradition with an insatiable passion for contemporary music of all kinds.

Yusupha Ngum is also from a Griot family of musicians. His father is the renowned Mbalax singer Musa Ngum, and Yusupha himself is a star in his own right. In The Gambia he has enjoyed a series of hit records over the last ten years, leading the resurgence of Mbalax as the national music of the Senegambian region.

Australian guitarist Steve Berry has produced and performed with a range of Australian acts since the 1980’s including Coolangubra, Kev Carmody and Shane Howard. With a background in both contemporary music and traditional acoustic styles, Steve first met his fellow Jaaleekaay musicians when he travelled to The Gambia in 2013 - their collective musical vision quickly emerged and together they saw the potential of the music that was to come. Jaaleekaay’s music is an exciting and uplifting blend of virtuosity and cross-cultural depth. Rich in melody and harmony, the music also features high level improvisations and carries a deep and infectious rhythm running through its heart.

Making their debut performances in Australia as a trio in 2013, Jaaleekaay has won over audiences at some of the country’s most popular festival events, including the Woodford Folk Festival, the Port Fairy Folk Festival and WA’s Fairbridge Folkworld Festival.

Since that original inception as a trio, Jaaleekaay has collaborated with some wonderful musicians, recording with Greg Sheehan, Tim Bennett, Cleis Pearce and Mat Ledgar. In 2016 the band will once again be in Australia, touring the country as a five piece in March and April and launching their debut full length CD.

Jaaleekaay’s tracks

• Laamaa Daliyeh [Radio Edit] by Jaaleekaay
• Bah Puloh by Jaaleekaay
• Mama Pray by Jaaleekaay
• Crossing Point by Jaaleekaay
• Continental Drift (trio) by Jaaleekaay