Momo Wandel Soumah

For the footballer, see Momo Wandel Soumah (footballer).

Momo Wandel Soumah
Born1926 (1926)
OriginLabé, Guinea
DiedJune 15, 2003(2003-06-15) (aged 77)
Dixinn, Conakry, Guinea
GenresJazz, African traditional
Occupation(s)Musician, singer, composer, musical director
Instrument(s)Tenor saxophone, Alto saxophone, Clarinet, Banjo, Mandolin
Years active1951–2003
LabelsBuda Musique, Fonti Musicali

Momo Wandel Soumah (1926 - June 15, 2003) was a singer, composer, and saxophonist from Guinea, recognisable by his characteristic gravelly voice.

Soumah started out in the 1950s playing in dance bands,[1] but moved to modern Guinean music following the cultural revolution. He was a part of the greatly influential Syli Orchestra (originally Syli Orchestre National) who were formed under the instruction of the first elected president Sekou Toure. The group of Guinea's elite musicians were selected to travel throughout Guinea and inspire and instruct musicians across the country and help set up the regional orchestras that were key to Sekou Toure's 'Authenticité' programme to promote and proliferate 'authentic' Guinean traditional music after colonial rule.[2] From the mid 1980s Soumah developed an idiosyncratic blend of jazz and African traditional music.

He died suddenly on June 15, 2003.[3] At the time of his death Soumah was musical director of Circus Baobab.[4]

  1. ^ "Obituary: Momo Wandel Soumah, Thursday 10 July 2003". The Guardian. Retrieved January 28, 2014.
  2. ^ "Keletigui et ses Tabourinis: The Syliphone Years CD booklet". Sterns Africa. Sterns Africa.
  3. ^ "Momo Wandel Soumah: Passing of an African Jazz Original". Afropop Worldwide. Archived from the original on September 17, 2008. Retrieved October 7, 2010.
  4. ^ "Obituary: Momo Wandel Soumah, Friday 20 June 2003". The Independent. Retrieved January 28, 2014.