Xalam (band)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Xalam is the name of a Senegalese musical group founded in 1969 by brothers Prosper Niang and Magay Niang. In 1975 they went on an African tour with Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba.

The band takes its name from the lute-like instrument the Xalam. Xalam performed a mix of contemporary jazz tunes as well as African originals, usually sung in Wolof, the dominant local language. The band included sax, drums, African percussion, bass and elec- tric guitar.

In 1980, Xalam recorded tracks in Dakar for the Disney corporation, to be used in their Epcot site in the US. In the early 80's, the band moved to Paris, where they became regulars on the local music scene. Prospère died in the mid-80's, replaced on drums by his younger brother, who had been the drummer for Senemali, another Senegalese group which had moved to Amsterdam.