Mor Thiam

Mor Thiam

LP Dini Safarrar (Drums Of Fire)

1973

Side one [30947]

Ayo Ayo Nene (Blessing For The New Born Baby)
Sindiely (Song For The Black Beauty)
Kele Mubana (Overpain And Struggle To Black)

Side two [30948]

Kanfera (Return ofFisher)
Africa Dedication to all the People

Bass - Rayman Eldrige
Congas - Billy Ingram
Drums - Charles 'Bobo' Wesley Shaw Jr*
Drums [Bass] - Zak Diouf
Guitar - Philip Wesdmoread
Piano - James Mathis
Saxophone [Alto], Flute - Oliver Lake
Trombone - John Evens
Trumpet - Lester Bowie
Vocals - Abdoulaye N'Gom
Written-By, Leader, Djembe - Mor Thiam

Recorded in St.Louis, Missouri, produced by Oliver Sain.

Mor Thiam was born in Dakar, Senegal to a family of historians from the Dagon tribe, who sued drums to tell their stories of the Wollof people in Senegal. Incidentally his surname, Thiam, means “historian” in his native tongue. He started playing the drums from an early age and professionally from the age of 12.

He perfected his skills, learning to play various African drums including the

tama, the

sabar, and the

djembe.

His percussion skills got the attention of noted choreographer Katherine Dunham who invited Thiam to join her dance company in the United States as its composer-in-residence.

Further reading : Conversations with Mor Thiam