Biography
Senegalese guitarist, harmonica player and singer Ismael Lo has emerged as a rising figure in world music. His smooth multi-textured voice and low-key folky approach combine with a 12-piece band to deliver forceful, intricate mbalax pieces driven by dense percussion, addressing pressing Senegalese concerns such as racism, respect and immigration.
Born to a Muslim household in Dongo Buti, Niger, as the child of a Senegalese father and Nigerian mother, Lo relocated with his family to Rufisque, Senegal at a young age. His father maintained two wives and fathered 18 children in total, yet Lo remains the sole musician among them. Music captivated him early on, prompting him to begin on a homemade one-string guitar. American artists Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and Etta James shaped his initial tastes, which he absorbed through radio broadcasts. He performed solely for personal satisfaction at the outset and never envisioned a stage career until an older brother who owned a club urged him to appear on the local television program “Tele Variety.” Lo declined the first invitation and continued training in decorating and painting at trade school, yet several months afterward he reversed course and joined the broadcast. The appearance proved an immediate success and prompted thoughts of professional performing. Seven days later he returned to the program and received $300 in payment.
Omar Pene brought Lo into the popular ensemble Super Diamono de Dakar in 1979, where the group specialized in mbalax-blues that fused Cuban and Senegalese rhythms. Lo’s guitar skill and songwriting ability quickly positioned him as a central member, advancing to second lead singer, backup vocalist and rhythm guitarist. By the early 1980s he yearned to pursue a solo path yet worried that his departure might irreparably damage the band. The strain peaked in 1984, prompting him to depart for Spain and focus on painting. Upon returning he launched a solo recording career. His initial releases comprised Xalat, Xiff, Natt and Gor Sayina, followed by a self-titled album issued on Mango in 1992.
Iso, Lo’s second full-length album titled after his childhood nickname, appeared two years later. French critics responded with strong praise, and Lo toured Africa the subsequent year to promote the recording. The 1996 compilation Jammu Africa included a duet with Marianne Faithfull and preceded an invitation to share the stage at L’Olympia alongside Jane Birken. Following several years of worldwide touring, Dabah—named for the Senegalese artist Dabah Malik—emerged in 2001. The next year the French government named Lo a Knight of the Legion of Honor. He performed across Europe and Africa during the ensuing two years and issued Senegal and African Nights in 2006.
Born to a Muslim household in Dongo Buti, Niger, as the child of a Senegalese father and Nigerian mother, Lo relocated with his family to Rufisque, Senegal at a young age. His father maintained two wives and fathered 18 children in total, yet Lo remains the sole musician among them. Music captivated him early on, prompting him to begin on a homemade one-string guitar. American artists Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and Etta James shaped his initial tastes, which he absorbed through radio broadcasts. He performed solely for personal satisfaction at the outset and never envisioned a stage career until an older brother who owned a club urged him to appear on the local television program “Tele Variety.” Lo declined the first invitation and continued training in decorating and painting at trade school, yet several months afterward he reversed course and joined the broadcast. The appearance proved an immediate success and prompted thoughts of professional performing. Seven days later he returned to the program and received $300 in payment.
Omar Pene brought Lo into the popular ensemble Super Diamono de Dakar in 1979, where the group specialized in mbalax-blues that fused Cuban and Senegalese rhythms. Lo’s guitar skill and songwriting ability quickly positioned him as a central member, advancing to second lead singer, backup vocalist and rhythm guitarist. By the early 1980s he yearned to pursue a solo path yet worried that his departure might irreparably damage the band. The strain peaked in 1984, prompting him to depart for Spain and focus on painting. Upon returning he launched a solo recording career. His initial releases comprised Xalat, Xiff, Natt and Gor Sayina, followed by a self-titled album issued on Mango in 1992.
Iso, Lo’s second full-length album titled after his childhood nickname, appeared two years later. French critics responded with strong praise, and Lo toured Africa the subsequent year to promote the recording. The 1996 compilation Jammu Africa included a duet with Marianne Faithfull and preceded an invitation to share the stage at L’Olympia alongside Jane Birken. Following several years of worldwide touring, Dabah—named for the Senegalese artist Dabah Malik—emerged in 2001. The next year the French government named Lo a Knight of the Legion of Honor. He performed across Europe and Africa during the ensuing two years and issued Senegal and African Nights in 2006.
Albums
