Diouf
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
“Quebegalese” percussion

Diouf is the story of two Senegalese brothers, two percussionists who crossed the Atlantic in 1996 to make their musical mark in North America. Landing in Quebec,  they slowly became “Quebegalese,” their lives and music a fusion of their two worlds.   Eighth and ninth of a ten children family, Karim and El Hadji Diouf were still children when they were drawn by djembes, sabars and tamas, all drums used to fire up family gatherings. Hiding their drums in neighbor's homes, they found ways to practice and give concerts and, to the despair of their family, neglected their school studies.   While still minors they were invited by famed percussionist Dougou Fana to accompany him on a 45 city European tour.   Their parents, required to sign their under-aged son's passports, became aware of and then gave their blessing to their son's musical careers.   Upon return from their first European tour, El Hadji and Karim began touring their homeland and, accompanied by Baaba Maal, founded Faxass Sico, a percussion group first created to support the local soccer team and help fire up fans at stadium soccer events.   Soon they were being hired for every kind of event--from official evenings in the stylish hotels of Dakar, to baptisms and weddings in their neighborhood, to the famous Senegalese sabars where women dance in an almost trance-like state in an atmosphere of friendly competition between dancers.
              When the Diamono Ballet included them on a tour in Quebec, they found a strong reception in Montreal and decided to put down roots.   Quickly they found work performing and recording. At first they continued as Faxass Sico but in 2003 the band became known simply as Diouf.   At the 2005 Great Lakes Folk Festival, "El Hadji “Elage” Diouf (vocals, percussion) and Karim Diouf (vocals, percussion) are joined by Sylvain Quesnel (guitar), J-Sébastien Nicol (drum), and Emmanuel Pelé (bass). Together they create a rhythmic ensemble, a melodic line, and two voices in harmony.
 
Links
http://mgam.com/artists/diouf/biography.html

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