3 local artists namely Pa Omar Jack, Freaky Joe (aka Singhateh), and Yusupha Ngum all returned last weekend from doing performances in Europe.

Gambian artists have been restricted to the confines of our national borders, and hardly exposed to the international stage. Ifand Bondi and Jaliba Kuyateh and the Kumareh are arguably the only two groups flying the Gambian flag abroad.

More recently Pa Bobo Jobarteh made it through to one of the biggest world music festivals Womad in the U.K

Gambian promoters resident in the U.K Njok Malick Jeng and Sol Sowe who took Pa Omar Jack and Singhateh to the U.K expressed optimism.

Sol Sowe said “whenever I come home I see a lot of talent, and it was time we nurtured them and see them exposed on the international stage. It is interesting to see U.K audiences respond positively to their repertoire, and seeing the artists themselves having a feel of a different crowd.”

Njok Malick Jeng said “we need to do this more often, and it is a signal local artists are in fact working harder to peg up to higher standards. It is encouraging and I hope we will continue and improve on the trend.”

The paper could only have Pa Omar Jack of the fish n chips fame who said “We have all been yearning to improve our music, and in the process show what we can do to a bigger audience. So I would like to thank the promoters and all that made the trip happen especially Lamin Manga.”

Pa Omar and Freaky Joe were in the U.K in time for the annual Nottinghill carnival, whilst Yusupha Ngum was in Sweden.