The Gambia: Dawda Jobarteh nominated for Swedish award

Manifest Gala was instituted on 31 January 2003 to recognise artists and works released by independent record labels in Sweden.

Jobarteh’s latest album, Do You Know a Place Called Flekkerøy, released at the close of 2022 by Swedish record label Ajabu, got him the nomination in the Rhythmic Music category. The album is one of two he released last year. The other, Soaring Wild Lands, came out in January.

On Do You Know a Place Called Flekkerøy, Jobarteh skillfully creates a unique sound universe from two different old musical traditions while still being firmly rooted in the modern age.

On the project, Jobarteh invites a selection of close collaborators and excellent musicians for an intimate experience. The release features Norwegian trumpet player Gunnar Halle, drummer Stefan Pasborg (Denmark) and his compatriot, Sweden-based Gambian percussionist Sal Dibba.

His excellence is clearly not limited to music. As a scion of one of West Africa’s most famous griots, Jobarteh, whose career as a professional percussionist started at the age of 12, continues to keep his family’s musical heritage alive.

In the tradition of the griots, the musicians, not unlike the blues singers, not only have the duties of keeping the music alive, but also to preserve and recount history. So, it’s little wonder that Jobarteh’s lyrics are as empathetic and wise as the music, oscillating between the cultural contrasts of his adopted Northern European home and his West African roots.

“After two years of digital galas and restrictions, it feels fantastic to finally be able to gather Sweden's independent companies and their artists live again,” Swedish Independence Music Producers chair Eva Karman Reinhold said.

“The number of releases received is larger than we have ever had and the jury has really done an outstanding job. We look forward to celebrating Manifest Gala's 20th anniversary live together at Pustervik,” she said.

This year, the jury, comprising 150 individuals, reviewed a total of 480 albums and 232 music videos. The jury members are made up journalists, the organisers and other professionals working in the Swedish music industry in various capacities.