Musa MBoob, son of renowned master drummer Doudou MBoob, followed in his fathers footsteps, being awarded a certificate of recognition as Gambia’s no. 1. percussionist after his performance at the Gambian Cultural Festival in 1988.

Musa was already very popular in West Africa when in 1990 he joined Ifang Bondi and toured throughout Europe, following which, he was invited to the UK by DB Music to record a solo album. Musa has continued to record and perform with renowned musicians from the UK, Gambia, and beyond at high-profile venues such as the QEH and WOMAD festival – always seeking new challenges and developing new ways of playing with musicians from diverse cultures.

Receiving funding from the Arts Council, Musa has brought together musicians from the UK and Gambia, collaborating to produce new music, which has promoted Gambian traditional music at the same time as building bridges between cultures. As well as performing, Musa is dedicated to education, giving workshops in schools and festivals across Gambia and Europe on ‘rhythm communication’.

In 2015 Musa discovered 8 accomplished British and European Jazz musicians who were exploring their love for African music, and he helped them to form JOKO – a new collaboration where, through writing songs together, they have found a common ground and unique sound.

Musa has dedicated his life to music and believes that artists have a responsibility to bring people together, celebrate life and educate – ‘We can use music as a weapon to create peace. So we should honour and appreciate the musicians, they are doing hard work’.