Bolaji Alonge: Sierra Leone Telegraph: 28 July 2020:
Sierra Leonean singer, songwriter and guitarist, Bai Kamara Jr & The Voodoo Sniffers album Salone, which was released earlier this year has been nominated in the Best Acoustic Blues Album category at the Blues Blast Music Award ceremony to be held in September.
Nominated alongside Mark Telesca – Higher Vibrations, Libby Rae Watson & Bert Deivert – She Shimmy, Hudspeth & Taylor – Folie a deux, Catfish Keith – Catfish Crawl, Bob Margolin – This Guitar & Tonight. Kamara Jr is the only nominee from outside of North America across all categories of this year’s competition.
Recorded in collaboration with German label Moosicus/MIG Music and his international management agency Zig Zag World, Salone is dedicated to the artist’s country of birth (Sierra Leone). An international recognition of this magnitude marks a new stage in his career. (Photo above credit – credit-Michael-Chia).
Kamara Jr revealed to eyesofalagosboy.com “We are really excited to be nominated by this prestigious Blues Awards. We had favourable reviews across Europe when Salone was released, but we never thought it would cross the Atlantic (US). As the only non- American to be nominated in this category, it is a huge honour for my team and I”.
The 15-track album was named ‘Album of the Month’ in February by the French-speaking Blues Radios Collective (CRB), Salone has enjoyed frequent airplay on radio shows in Europe, Australia, Canada and the USA. Kamara was invited to perform a live session for Rolling Stone Magazine’s ‘In My Room‘ video series in May during the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2019 Blues Blast Music Awards ceremonies were held at The Tebala Event Center in Rockford, Illinois last September with the participation of Blues music industry professionals, journalists, music critics, music venue managers, festival promoters, producers and musicians.
The Blues Blast Music Awards on its 13th edition is presented by the US based Blues Blast Magazine, the largest free weekly internet Blues magazine with subscribers located in more than 90 countries.
Blues fans from all over the world vote to honour the Best in contemporary Blues music.
Originally from Sierra Leone, Bai Kamara Jr. grew up in the UK and has been living in Belgium for over 25 years. His style of music is a mix of soul, blues and Afro-rock combined with powerful vocals that are sobering and intimate.
Online voting is open until September 5, 2020.
Sierra Leonean and worldwide fans can vote for Bai Kamara Jr. here
Editor’s Note
The editor and proprietor of the Sierra Leone Telegraph – Mr Abdul Rashid Thomas, who knew Bai Kamara as a young man back then in the 1980s, living in Chorlton in Manchester, UK, said: “I knew Bai would make it to the top of his music profession, as he was very dedicated to learning and practising his guitar – day in and day out. He had great potential, and as a Sierra Leonean and a friend – I am delighted to see our own brother realised his dream. Well done Pa Morlai – well done. Hope to see you soon. Keep the blues going man.”
This story has been published courtesy of Eyes of a Lagos Boy
This is a big deal and should make every Sierra Leonean proud. I hope he will be the winner.
I like him and his music very much. His video walking in Freetown during rainy season is a highlight.