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Mansour Seck

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Mansour Seck
Born(1955-05-12)12 May 1955
Podor, French Senegal, French West Africa
Died29 May 2024(2024-05-29) (aged 69)
Dakar, Senegal
GenresYela, worldbeat
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Kora, Acoustic Guitar
Years active1982–2024

Mansour Seck (12 May 1955 – 29 May 2024) was a Senegalese singer and musician. Best known for his collaboration with lifelong friend Baaba Maal. He has also toured and released several solo albums. He was blind.[1]

Biography

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Seck was born into the griot caste, traditionally of low status and associated with singing, story telling and playing musical instruments. From childhood, Seck has been a close friend of Baaba Maal, and in 1977 the two musicians travelled to explore the musical traditions of Mauritania and Mali.

Maal went to study Music in Dakar, and in 1982, he received a scholarship to study at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Once established there Maal invited Seck and two other musicians to join him. They formed a band which became known as Dande Lenol (The People's Voice) and played mainly to the Senegalese immigrant communities of Paris. Seck was the band's primary guitarist. The album "Djaam Leeli" (1984) is from this early time together. As their confidence grew, they toured in the US together with Seck's first solo release coming in 1994.

Mansour Seck played alongside Baaba Maal as part of Dande Lenol at the WOMAD Festival at Charlton Park on 29 July 2007.

Seck died in Dakar on 29 May 2024, at the age of 69.[2]

Discography

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References

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  1. ^ Denselow, Robin (14 June 2024). "Mansour Seck obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Décès de Mansour Seck, choriste et cofondateur du Dandé Léñol (Baba Maal)". Agence de Presse Senegalaise (in French).
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