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After Long Hiatus, Gelewar Band in Action Again
Monday, September 24, 2007
Poised to Tour Spain, Germany and the Netherlands After more than a decade of hiatus, the Gelewar band is in action again poised to bring back the lost glory of Gambian music. Gelewar band was among the few local bands that raised the Gambian flag high in the international scene in the 70s –80s. The band was also credited of being a dominant force in popularizing mbalax music in the Senegambia region. It is in view of this that two principal vocalists of the band are now joining forces to revive Gelewar. Veteran musician Abdoulie Ngum alias Abdel Kabir and legendary singer-songwriter Musa Afia Ngum are currently busy working out modalities to reactivate Gelewar in a bid to give music aficionados particularly old guards a bigger, better package. Speaking to this paper Bai Jai Jack alias Jacky, Manager of Gelewar band said that they saw the need to revive Gelewar because the band was a treasure for the country, adding that as far as they are concerned Gelewar is still in existence. “We will be embarking upon a tour of Spain, Germany and the Netherlands between Koriteh and Tobaski. We want to make sure that the prestige, respect and honour the Gambia used to enjoy in the music world is brought back,” he said. According to Jacky the roots of mbalax music is from the Gambia but was quick to add that the fruits are now in Senegal. He posited “when you talk about the roots of modern music you cannot talk without mentioning the likes of Musa Ngum and Lie Ngum”. According to him they are at present putting finishing touches to hit the music waves in grand style. “We have the structures and the instruments in place to make it happen. Teranga Beach Club is built to serve as a centre of attraction and it is dedicated to all Gambian artists, so we have now reached to a point of no turning back.” Adding weight to Jacky’s comments, veteran musician Abdel Kabir said that they are poised to inject new lease of life into the Gambia’s burgeoning music industry. “The music should be ‘professionalised’ and we want to ensure that the face of Gambian music is given a new look,” he enthused. Musa Ngum also expressed optimism that with the coming back to the music scene of Gelewar there is high hope that local music will be given prominence in the Gambia. Source: The Point
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