This is the 50th anniversary of Orchestra Baobab, one of Africa’s greatest bands. Adored both at home in Senegal and across the world, Baobab occupy a special place in the history of African music. Their epic story begins in the heart of Dakar’s Medina in the 1970s and extends across the world and into the 21st century, featuring a brilliant assembly of diverse musical personalities and encompassing a unique blend of Afro-Latin styles, international pop, West African griot music, and an after-dark West African nightclub ambience of lilting, mellifluous rhythms.

To celebrate this remarkable milestone, the band are currently on tour.

Last November, Orchestra Baobab unveiled 50 Ans (50 Years), the first track from the Senegalese outfit’s forthcoming album that marks a half-century of their trademark fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms, pop hooks and native griot storyteller tradition.

Formed during the late sixties in a Dakar nightclub built around a baobab tree, the nine-piece group have developed a unique style based around their own cultural mix that they have since taken across the globe, including London’s Barbican Centre.

Nowadays, surviving members are joined by a younger generation of musicians – lyrics to 50 Ans were written by veteran drummer Taga Koité while the number’s main vocals come via his son Papino.

With fresh energy, Orchestra Baobab continue to develop their joyous fusion of intense polyrhythms, infectious brass arrangements and captivating melodies.

TOUR DATES

2 May 2024 – KOKO – London – UK – SOLD OUT
3 May 2024 – Cheltenham Jazz Festival – UK – SOLD OUT
4 May 2024 – Bray International Jazz Festival – IR – SOLD OUT
5 May 2024 – The Lantern – Bristol – UK – TICKETS
6 May 2024 – Princess Pavillion – Falmouth – UK –TICKETS
8 May 2024 – Lighthouse – Poole – UK – TICKETS
9 May 2024 – Brewery Arts – Kendal – UK – TICKETS
10 May 2024 – Howard Assembly Rooms – Leeds – UK – TICKETS
11 May 2024 – XJAZZ – Berlin – DE – TICKETS
12 May 2024 – PTR – Geneva – CH – TICKETS
13 May 2024 – Palace – St Gallen – CH – TICKETS
19 May 2024 – Philharmonie – Haarlem – NL – TICKETS
21 May 2024 – PAARD – Den Haag – NL – TICKETS

11 July 2024 – Festival de Wiltz – Wiltz – LUX
13 July 2024 – Wildeburg Festival – Kraggenburg – NL
15 July 2024 – Valkhoff Festival – Nijmegen – NL
19 July 2024 – Globaltica Festival – Gydnia – PL

1 September 2024 – Jazz In The Park – Cluj – RO
4 September 2024 – Cosmopolite – Oslo – NO
5 September 2024 – Take the A Train – Salzburg – AT
6 September 2024 – De Roma – Antwerp – BE
7 September 2024 – Kantine – Cologne – DE – TICKETS
8 September 2024 – Knust – Hamburg – DE – TICKETS
9 September 2024 – Zoom – Frankfurt – DE – TICKETS

24-25 October 2024 – WOMEX – Manchester – UK
26 October 2024 – NueJazz – Nürnburg – DE
27 October 2024 – Guinness Cork Jazz Festival – Cork – IE
30 October 2024 – Parac Akropolis – Prague – CZ

 

ON TOUR (EUROPE): JULY, SEPTEMBER, 20-30 OCTOBER 2024 /// SUMMER 2025