Njacko Backo
Afro Beat - Children's Music - Global Beats - Global Fusion - World
From Toronto, Ontario
BIO
Multi-talented entertainer and educator Njacko Backo and his band Kalimba Kalimba have been sharing their uplifting music, energizing dance, and hope-filled stories with audiences of all ages and all walks of life since 1989.
Their incredibly rich World Beat sound is driven by African rhythms, layered with traditional and modern instruments ranging from the kalimba and ngoni to the electric guitar and fiddle. In English, French and Bazoué - one of Cameroon’s many languages - they sing of life, love, social injustices and other themes inspired by Njacko's strong sense of spirit and grassroots wisdom.
The King of Kalimba celebrates 24 years of making music in Canada with his release Ici Bas, Rien N’est Impossible (Here Below, Nothing Is Impossible), a collaboration with his band Kalimba Kalimba and some of Canada’s most accomplished musicians. Jane Bunnett brings a lightness and joy to the recording on soprano sax, piccolo and flute. Canadian roots music legend Ken Whitely performs on four different banjos, and George Koller sensitively weaves in sitar and dilruba. Paul Neufeld lays down his signature groove on Wurlitzer electric piano, Hohner clavinet, organ, and Korg synthesizer. Larger than the sum of its parts, Njacko co-produced this album with Jeff McCulloch of Wellesley Sound Studio and the result has stretched the boundaries of African music. As Backo’s 11th independent release, this album marks an important milestone in the musician’s journey that began 54 years ago in a small village in rural Cameroon. Backo’s mastery of the kalimba and ngoni have reached new heights which has inspired him to orchestrate unique instrument combinations that have never been heard before. This recording was supported by Conseil des Arts de l’Ontario (CAO).
Live performances are captivating, engaging and memorable: "From Njacko Backo and Kalimba! Kalimba!'s opening notes, the music's exotic and hot rhythms had everyone on the dance floor. An inevitable occurrence with this group." - Olivier Bilodeau, Le Métropolitain
Listen to MP3s
Watch A Video
Gigs
Lula Lounge - Toronto, Ontario Canada - Thursday, June 6, 2013
Lula Lounge - Toronto, Ontario Canada - Thursday, June 6, 2013
The Gladstone Hotel - Toronto, Ontario Canada - Friday, February 22, 2013
Ultimate Jam 2, Art Gallery of Hamilton - Toronto, Ontario Canada - Saturday, January 1, 2011
Global Soul, presented by Small World Music - Toronto, Ontario Canada - Friday, January 1, 2010
Small World on the Street, part of Word on the Street Festival - Toronto, Ontario Canada - Friday, January 1, 2010
Northern Lights/Festival Boreal Music Festival - Sudbury, Ontario Canada - Friday, January 1, 2010
Toronto City Roots - Toronto, Ontario Canada - Friday, January 1, 2010
The Opera House, presented by Music Africa - Toronto, Ontario Canada - Friday, January 1, 2010
New Year's Eve Family Event, Toronto Zoo - Toronto, Ontario Canada - Thursday, January 1, 2009
Bana Y'Afrique - Toronto, Ontario Canada - Thursday, January 1, 2009
Toronto African Dance Festival - Toronto, Ontario Canada - Thursday, January 1, 2009
Ashiko! - Orillia, Ontario Canada - Thursday, January 1, 2009
Afrofest - Toronto, Ontario Canada - Tuesday, January 1, 2008
King's Theatre - Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia Canada - Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Osprey Arts Centre - Shelburne, Nova Scotia Canada - Tuesday, January 1, 2008
The Spirit of Cameroon, presented by Njacko Backo at the Gladstone Hotel - Toronto, Ontario Canada - Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Latin-Afro Fest at Lula Lounge - Toronto, Ontario Canada - Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Sound of Music Festival - Burlington, Ontario Canada - Tuesday, January 1, 2008
The Kalimba Summit - Tranzac - Toronto, Ontario Canada - Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Griots of Toronto, Gladstone Hotel - Toronto, Ontario Canada - Monday, January 1, 2007
Mariposa Folk Festival - Orillia, Ontario Canada - Monday, January 1, 2007
Band Members
Njacko BackoChip Yarwood
Anne Lederman
Altaf "Bwana Moto" Vellani
Joaquin Nunez Hidalgo
Paco Luviano
Celina Carroll
Manager
Njacko BackoEmail: love@njackobacko.com
Mobile: 416 836 8951
PO Box 632, 31 Adelaide St. E Toronto, Ontario
Canada, M5C 2J8
Discography
Ici Bas, Rien N'est Impossible: Mon Experience Canadienne
Indie, 2013
Ou est l'amour/Where is the Love
Indie, 2012
Mama Oh (DVD of music videos)
Indie, 2008
Ba Ba Oh
Indie, 2006
The Conscience of Africa
Indie, 2003
Kakoua
Indie, 2000
Lode Yeuk
Indie, 1999
Nkoni
Indie, 1996
Ressurection
Indie, 1992
Aventure au Desert
Indie, 1992
Le Destin
Indie, 1988