21:00   Place Fernand Cocq - Fernand Cocq Plein
BAI KAMARA JR Quintet
Bai Kamara Jr (acc g, voc), Eric Moens (el.g, backing voc), Joachim Saerens (keyb), Thierry Rombaux (b), Yves Baibay (dr)
#soul #funk #rhythm & blues

Brussels-based singer-songwriter Bai Kamara Jr presents his fifth studio album this March, entitled “Bai Kamara jr presents The Mystical Survivors & Some Rare Earthlings Vol 1”. His most ambitious project to date, the concept was to make an organic, retro and yet modern soul record, free from programming and samples.

Growing up in Sierra Leone and the U.K as the son of an ambassador in Brussels Bai was always conscious of injustice and inequality in the world and now feels the need to use his voice and songs to raise awareness and to spread messages of hope and peace.  His songs are a mix of personal stories and current world affairs.

The album was recorded over a period of three years with renowned Belgian musicians such as Joachim Saerens (Selah Sue), Nina Babet, (Milow), Thierry Rombaux (BJ Scott) and Michel Seba (Axel Red).   Lending their talents on horns and arrangements were some of Belgium’s finest jazz musicians, among them Jean Paul Estievenart and Stephane Mercier.  Mixed by Marc François (Vaya Con Dios, Ozark Henry, Nova Star), this soul-funk-R&B record takes the listener on a journey into its rich musical tapestry.

Bai has toured as support act for Vanessa Paradis for her French and international tour in 2013 and 2014, playing for 25 of her shows. He has also toured with Dani Klein and Youssou N'Dour.  In 2015 Bai gathered a group of top Belgian artists to record his song “If I Could Walk on Water” to raise funds for Médecins Sans Frontières refugee support work with vocalists Daan, Guy Swinnen (The Scabs), Beverly Jo Scott eo.

Album: Bai Kamara Jr presents The Mystical Survivors & Some Rare Earthlings Vol 1’ (T4A/Pias)