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Ouza
(Senegal)
Biography
Ouza (Ousmane Diallo) has been an influential figure in Senegalese
music. Much respected in Senegal for his critical approach on politics and society, he is less
loved by the authorities in his country.
Ousmane Diallo went to study music in Côte d'Ivoire during the 1960s. He participated in various traditional music ensembles and ballets before returning to Senegal. Since 1972, he recorded regularly with various groups of female singers such as Les Ouzettes, Les Filles Branchées and others. He coached these singers after which some of them started solo careers. In addition, he was nominated to lead the National Ballet and the National Orchestra of Senegal.
His music is influenced by traditional music, mbalax, but also blues, jazz and soul. Some songs are as laid-back as the music of Orchestre Baobab, others have a frenetic rhythm laid on a foundation of a pulsating bass cadence, so typical for much of Senegal's music.
For years, his music was hard to find in the West, but in 2001 and 2002, two albums with a selection of his work were released on CD, « Ouza (Best of) » (2001), and « Ouza & ses Ouzettes 1975-1990 » (2002).
Two children of his are also involved in music, his son Cheikh Lo Diallo and his daughter Adiouza.
Ousmane Diallo went to study music in Côte d'Ivoire during the 1960s. He participated in various traditional music ensembles and ballets before returning to Senegal. Since 1972, he recorded regularly with various groups of female singers such as Les Ouzettes, Les Filles Branchées and others. He coached these singers after which some of them started solo careers. In addition, he was nominated to lead the National Ballet and the National Orchestra of Senegal.
His music is influenced by traditional music, mbalax, but also blues, jazz and soul. Some songs are as laid-back as the music of Orchestre Baobab, others have a frenetic rhythm laid on a foundation of a pulsating bass cadence, so typical for much of Senegal's music.
For years, his music was hard to find in the West, but in 2001 and 2002, two albums with a selection of his work were released on CD, « Ouza (Best of) » (2001), and « Ouza & ses Ouzettes 1975-1990 » (2002).
Two children of his are also involved in music, his son Cheikh Lo Diallo and his daughter Adiouza.
Ouza (Ousmane Diallo)
Born: 1948 (other sources mention 1947) in Rufisque, as Ousmane Diallo
Style: Mbalax
Discography
| Title | Year | Label | Remarks |
| 6 heures | 2007 | [?] | CD |
| Ouza & ses Ouzettes 1975-1990 | 2002 | PAM OA 208 | CD |
| Ouza | 2001 | Africa Productions 01028-2 | CD |
| Le vote | 2000 | Origines | Cassette |
| Soul'n Jagamare | 1999 | KSF Productions | Cassette |
| Femme noire | 1998 | Cassette | |
| Femme nue | 1998 | Cassette | |
| Sen Sougnou Sama | 1997 | Cassette | |
| Diapason Ouza | 1996 | KSF | Cassette |
| Demb | 1996 | Jololi | Cassette |
| I'm sorry / Dunia Gassy | 1995 | Cassette | |
| Tawatal | 1995 | Cassette | |
| Modou Modou | 1994 | Cassette | |
| Xadimo | 1992 | Cassette no. 121365 | |
| I Miss You | 1992 | [not on label] | Cassette |
| Ndar | 1990 | ON 9001 | Cassette, Ouza & les filles branchées |
| The Best | 1984 | Syllart 8316 | Cassette |
| Le peuple | 1984 | Syllart 8315 | Cassette |
| Nakhe M'Baaye | 1982 | GDL 001 | Cassette, Ouza & son Nobel |
| Lanke Naa | 1981 | Mbaye Ndiaye ON 8303 | Cassette, Ouza & le Nobel |
| Lat-Dior | 1980 | Jambaar JM 5003 | LP, Ouza & ses Ouzettes |
| Wethe (Solitude) | 1980 | Jambaar JM 5002 | LP, Ouza & Teranga International Band |
| Mbaana | 1977 | MAG 109 | LP, Ouza & Les Quatres Femmes dans le Vent |
Sources
Web site Popular African Music / CD inlay CD pam OA208 (by Günter Gretz)
Discography of Ouza (by Toshiya Endo)
Discography of Ouza (by Forest Beat / Desert Jazz)
Web site Popular African Music / CD inlay CD pam OA208 (by Günter Gretz)
Discography of Ouza (by Toshiya Endo)
Discography of Ouza (by Forest Beat / Desert Jazz)
Page added December 2002