40 years of musical career should be celebrated. And singer Coumba Gawlo Seck intends to pull out all the stops for this celebration. A series of events is planned in Senegal and other African countries. Starting point for the festivities, the esplanade of the Grand Théâtre Doudou Ndiaye Coumba Rose, on December 7, with a mega concert. By Amadou MBODJI –
40 years of musical career! Coumba Gawlo Seck intends to mark this moment with a milestone. On December 7, the Grand Théâtre esplanade will host the concert planned for this purpose. At a press conference this Monday, Coumba Gawlo invited his fans to come and experience the highlights of the celebration with a mega concert. Singers, such as the Guinean Sékouba Bambino, will be among the guests, says Gawlo, who announces a series of events in several African countries such as Gambia on December 14, Morocco on December 21, Dakar again on December 25, Ivory Coast on December 28. The loop will be completed in Dakar on December 31.
A family story
Looking back on the notable moments of her four decades of musical career, she says she has experienced joy, but also trials. “From 1986 to the present day, what a long way we have come! So many efforts made and immense moments of sharing, of communion experienced, moments of satisfaction and success, but also of challenges and trials,” underlines Coumba Gawlo Seck. Saluting the memory of Aziz Dabala and Samba Mballo of the Gélongal group with whom she collaborated and shared “strong moments”, Coumba Gawlo Seck also draws lessons from them. “These trials strengthen us in our faith in God, Master of our destiny. This faith which allowed us to face this period of withdrawal from the musical scene due to a loss of voice,” recalls the artist, who says he overcame this difficult period of his musical life thanks to God. “And by divine will, faith and determination to transform constraints into opportunities, but also compassion and solidarity in Senegal, in Africa and in the world, I experienced this ordeal, which we went through together, and returned to the musical scene at the Museum of Black Civilizations on May 13, 2023. It was undoubtedly one of the highlights of this 40-year career,” declares the author of Amadou and ambassador of the Grand Théâtre. “The song and me are a long story of family, of passion, of choosing a profession for which I was educated and prepared,” continues Coumba Gawlo. Going back in time, she remembers: “At the age of 7, I accompanied my mother Adja Fatou Kiné Mbaay to ceremonies where her singing performances were requested. I was already passionate about singing. And at the age of 14, I won the National Competition for Young Creators in 1986 by performing the song Soweto,” recalls the double gold disc with its rich repertoire. “I thank God for giving me the courage and the opportunity to take this not so easy journey,” says the Diva, who paid a vibrant tribute to her father, the late Laye Bamba Seck, who wrote the song Soweto at the height of apartheid in South Africa.
She included in her thanks those who contributed to the success of her musical career including Robert Lahoud, her first producer, as well as Ibrahima Sylla of Syllard production, Gélongal, her musicians and technicians, her family and loved ones, among others. As she invites in her new song Toc Toc, Coumba Gawlo’s next decade in Music opens with a new adventure.
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