Solomelo

Solomelo was born in Banjul, Gambia in 1965. His first musical influence was his grandmother, who sang to him.In the late '60's Banjul was the night club capital of West Africa. Legendary bands like Super Eagles and Ifang Bondi had international success and were the influences that had a lasting effect on him.He started his musical career in '87. In '02 formed his band called "ROOFLESS"He has performed extensively in Gambia at a variety of venues and festivals.He has organised the two world music day concerts in Gambia in '06 and '07. Also in '07 he organised a tribute concert for a political prisoner in America to support the abolition of the death penalty.In '06 Solomelo with the help of Nola Marshall formed GAMMA the Gambian's Musicians Association On May 2nd and 3rd, 08 the association went to congress and voted in their first executive. Solomelo is their first President. The association is now a Nationally recognised union now called MUSIGAM.The union's main objectives are to raise the status of musicians in Gambia. To augment the profile of Gambian music and culture, to set a fair rate of pay and to implement cultural exchanges with world musicians and academics.His aims are:-To become internationally known.-To produce his own work and that of other up and coming artists in Gambia.-To build a music school in Gambia where young musicians can learn basic knowledge of music, instruments and singing techniques and how to promote themselves.In October '07 he recorded his first album "KESS".