Orchestra Baobab
- Type: Band/Group
- Country: Senegal
- Born: 1970 in Dakar, Senegal
- Active: 1970 - present
Biography
Orchestra Baobab is a Senegalese band formed in 1970 in Dakar, originally the house band of the Baobab Club. Its classic lineup, drawn largely from the *Star Band*, mixed Afro-Cuban dance rhythms with Wolof griot vocals, Casamance melodies and the liquid lead guitar of Barthélemy Attisso. Senegal's dominant band of the 1970s, it split in 1987 as mbalax took over, then reformed in 2001 after reissues such as 'Pirate's Choice' found a new audience abroad. Reunion albums on #World Circuit# include 'Specialist in All Styles' (2002) and 'Tribute to Ndiouga Dieng' (2017), and the band continues under saxophonist Thierno Koité.
Orchestra Baobab Discography
- Pirate's Choice (1989) - Album - rated 4.45/5
- Specialist in All Styles (2002) - Album - rated 3.92/5
- Made in Dakar (2007) - Album - rated 4.01/5
- Tribute to Ndiouga Dieng (2017) - Album - rated 3.68/5
- Made in Senegal (2026) - Album - rated 3.74/5
Members
- Barthélemy Attisso - lead guitar, vocals (1970–1987; 2001–2016)
- Balla Sidibé - vocals, timbales (1970–1987; 2001–2020)
- Rudy Gomis - vocals (1970–1987; 2001–2017)
- Laye Mboup - vocals (1970–1974)
- Medoune Diallo - vocals (1970–1987; 2001–2007)
- Ndiouga Dieng - vocals (1970–1987; 2001–2016)
- Thione Seck - vocals (1974–1979)
- Assane Mboup - vocals (2001–2007)
- Issa Cissoko - saxophone (1971–1987; 2001–2019)
- Thierno Koité - saxophone (1978–1987; 2001–Present)
- Charlie Ndiaye - bass (1970–1987; 2001–2023)
- Mountaga Koité - percussion, drums (1970–1987; 2001–Present)
- Latfi Ben Geloune - rhythm guitar (1970–1987; 2001–2014)
- Alpha Dieng - vocals (2017–Present)
- Abdoulaye Cissoko - kora (2017–Present)
- Wilfrid Zinzou - trombone, saxophone (2017–Present)