Moments in time
by tantra "aminata" zawadi
the Senegal-america project
december 2011-january 2012
Reflections of Africa
Take me, take me home!
Across the wailing great blue
To the land of soul
Nanga Def?
I am home! The Motherland has received me and it is magnificent! The music, the family, the celebration, the fellowship is divine! Great concert last night. Much love and gratitude to Bideew Bou Bess, Tony Vacca, Baaba Maal and Massamba Diop! The drummers are calling. Let's go - 'yewoul bok' (stop sleeping in Wolof). Peace, Love and Light.
The day after we arrived in Senegal, Tony Vacca and I prepared for a concert with Senegalese singers/musicians Bideew Bou Bess featuring esteemed guest Baaba Maal at the Daniel Sorano National Theater in Dakar. The show was absolutely breath-taking. The theater was filled to capacity and the audience was on their feet most of the night. Bideew Bou Bess are brothers Moctar, Beydi and Ibrahima - international double gold disc artists with a captivating flow. They opened their dressing room to us, shared a few laughs and thoughts about music and life. At rehearsal the night before, I felt a soulful connection with them as we worked through our material. I felt in my spirit that our collaboration would be magical. Screams filled the air when they hit the stage and world renowned tama drummer Massamba Diop and percussionist Tony Vacca, raised the temperature for more foot stomping, hand clapping - grooving. Later that evening, we had the opportunity to personally meet Baaba Maal and witness his soulful performance onstage with BBB. They both have a strong connection with the people and BBB’s family, who were present, joined them onstage in song.
Much love to Cheikh for tending to our needs backstage and sharing a delicious dish of ceebu jen (fish and rice) before the show. Our American travel companions were in the audience that night while Massamba Diop kept the energy flowing with us back stage. DJ Awadi stopped by to show us some love and to welcome us to Senegal. BBB blessed us again during our journey by visiting us in Malika where we enjoyed an evening of conversation, music and song; and again in Dakar the night before our departure to America. I have so much love and respect for these brothers and am honored to have met and performed with them. Much love to Tony Vacca for pairing me up with BBB on his track “Things Gotta Change,” and making beautiful things happen with the Senegal-America Project. Love and respect to you Bideew Bou Bess!
