{"id":2149237,"date":"2025-11-11T16:51:21","date_gmt":"2025-11-11T16:51:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2149237"},"modified":"2025-11-11T16:51:21","modified_gmt":"2025-11-11T16:51:21","slug":"senegalese-french-drummers-bridge-cultures-with-new-album","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/senegalese-french-drummers-bridge-cultures-with-new-album\/","title":{"rendered":"Senegalese, French drummers bridge cultures with new album"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Titled Live in Saint Louis, Senegal<\/em>, the album was released on 7 November through Miguel Zen\u00f3n\u2019s Miel Music label. It features Pannier\u2019s quartet \u2013 Cuban saxophonist Yosvany Terry, pianist Thomas Enhco, and bassist Fran\u00e7ois Moutin \u2013 performing alongside Niang and an ensemble of eight Senegalese percussionists. The recording was mixed by engineer Dominique Borde at the personal studio of French composer \u00c9ric Serra.<\/p>\n

The project was developed during a seven-day residency in Senegal, where the musicians explored ways to merge two distinct musical traditions. The collaboration marks a first for both jazz and sabar music, bringing together piano, saxophone, and double bass with the layered polyrhythms of Senegalese percussion.<\/p>\n

According to Pannier, the experience deepened his understanding of sabar as more than a drumming technique. \u201cSabar is a much deeper and richer concept,\u201d he said. \u201cIt refers to a family of drums, a dance form, and a language used for communication, celebration, and spiritual connection.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sabar, traditionally practised by Griots \u2013 Senegalese oral historians and storytellers \u2013 plays a central role in community events, ranging from ceremonies to wrestling matches. It is also considered a means of healing and spiritual expression.<\/p>\n

Pannier\u2019s interest in Senegalese rhythm dates back to childhood, when he first encountered the work of the late Doudou N\u2019Diaye Rose<\/a>, one of Senegal\u2019s most renowned drummers and a UNESCO-recognised \u201cliving human treasure.\u201d Inspired by Rose\u2019s music, Pannier pursued a career in drumming, later studying at Berklee College of Music and the Manhattan School of Music before performing with artists such as Miguel Zen\u00f3n, Aaron Goldberg, and Bob James.<\/p>\n

His long-held ambition to collaborate with sabar musicians came to fruition after meeting organisers of the Saint-Louis International Jazz Festival, Africa\u2019s largest jazz event. Pannier travelled to Senegal in May 2023, where he met Niang, a former member of N\u2019Diaye Rose\u2019s ensemble. The partnership culminated in a joint performance at the 2024 edition of the festival.<\/p>\n

Over the following year, the two musicians worked remotely, exchanging rhythmic and harmonic ideas that later formed the album\u2019s repertoire. Tracks include \u2018Xalat Bou Set (\u201cThe Holy Spirit\u201d)\u2019, a joint composition; Sine Saloum, inspired by a Yoruba melody; and Hommage \u00e0 Doudou N\u2019Diaye Rose, written by Niang as a tribute to his mentor.<\/p>\n

The album also features reinterpreted jazz standards such as Ornette Coleman\u2019s \u2018Lonely Woman\u2019, John Coltrane\u2019s \u2018Naima\u2019, and Dave Brubeck\u2019s \u2018Take Five\u2019, the latter chosen at Niang\u2019s request to introduce his drummers to complex time signatures.<\/p>\n

Reflecting on the collaboration, Pannier said the experience had reshaped his musical outlook. \u201cThey don\u2019t separate art from life,\u201d he said. \u201cThis project changed my vision and made me think about music in a much more complete way.\u201d<\/p>\n