Introducing Group Saloum

Founded by world-renowned griot percussionist Lamine Touré, Group Saloum
fuses Senegalese mbalax with elements ofjazz, funk, reggae, and Afrobeat. Group Saloum
performs original mbalax music highlighted by the infectious rhythms of Touré's sabar
drums, drawing upon the collective creativity of some of Boston's most talented musicians.

July 25, 2004 marked the public performance debut of Lamine Touré and Group Saloum at the
Central Square World's Fair. The concert was a smashing success, drawing record crowds to
the African Stage. Since then, the group has performed at numerous Boston area venues,
including the Brazilian Cultural Center of New England, Ryles Dance Hall and Ryles Jazz Club.
Fall 2005 will mark the much-anticipated debut CD release. The CD was recorded by ASCAP-
winning producer Dan Cantor of Notable Productions, and is being released and distributed by
Nomadic Wax. Lamine Touré is widely recognized as one of Senegal's leading percussionists.
Born into a griot family of sabar drummers, Lamine Touré has been drumming since the age of
four, performing with his family troupe at weddings, baptisms, and dance events.

Since 1997, he has enjoyed a fruitful career with the successful Senegalese mbalax band NDER
et le Setsima Group, performing at Bercy (Paris), the Festival International de Jazz (Montréal),
Paradise Rock Club (Boston) and Central Park Summerstage (New York). In 2001, he settled in the
United States to pursue his solo career. In addition to leading Group Saloum, Touré has been
serving as artist-in-residence at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,and teaches sabar
drum and dance classes in the Boston area.

Group Saloum is: Lamine Touré (sabar and lead vocals), Michael Lewis (drums), Raja Kassis (guitar),
Akili Jamal Haynes (bass), Patricia Tang (violin and keyboards), Josiah Woodson (trumpet and flute),
Jamemurrell Stanley (congas and djembe), and Iginajah Maxwell (backing vocals).

The CD is available for purchase at www.nomadicwax.com, with digital downloads available through
www.calabashmusic.com.