The Gambia’s kora superstar, Jaliba kuyateh, and the Kayong Kalong Cultural Troupe, recently held a musical jamboree at the Buffer Zone in Tallinding.

The event attracted a lot of people, who came out to support the event which was organised by Sound City Promotion. The jamboree was described by both the organisers and attendants as a great success.

Arts and Culture, this week caught up with Jaliba Kuyateh, the country’s king of kora music and David Ansumana Manneh, Co-ordinator of Kayong Kalong Cultural Troupe. Both personalities spoke about their impression of the just ended traditional music jamboree.

Jaliba Kuyateh described the show as a real challenge to the country’s musicians, especially those who do traditional and cultural music. He said their is a need to promote, preserve and develope arts and culture, in The Gambia and Africa at large. He expressed gratitude to the organisers, Sound City Promotion for their perfect hosting of the event, and urged them to keep organising such events in order to expose Gambian art and culture.

David Ansumana Manneh, Co-ordinator of Kayong Kalong Cultural Troupe, also expressed similar sentiments. He observed that the traditional cultural music Jamboree was very effective in exposing Gambian artists, adding that his members had an intensive pre-training prior to the event in order to ensure a successful event. “Also it is pleasing to note that my troupe will compose a special song for the organisers. This will be in recognition of their untiring efforts towards the development and promotion of arts and culture in The Gambia and the African continent”, he said.

Speaking earlier, Mabou Touray, Co-ordinator of Sound City Promotion, expressed delight over the performances of the groups . “My company plans similar events for in the near future” he stated.