Ishmael Lo gives classy act at Hifa

Ismael Lo

HARARE - Top Senegalese guitarist, harmonica player, and singer Ismael Lo proved to be a classy act at the 13th edition of the Harare International Festival of the Arts (Hifa) Saturday night where he kept fans on their feet. 

Lo, who hails from a French- speaking nation showed that he was not a spent force as he displayed great skill in playing the harmonica sending the audience into frenzy. He kept the crowd on its toes for the entire hour-long performance. He made interactive chants occasionally to much echoes from the crowd.

He tactfully churned out his most popular tunes, and maintained the interest of his multi-cultural audience on the fifth night of the six-day annual arts festival. Lo performed a distinctive fusion of Mbalax, folk and blues fused with modern instruments. At the show, the internationally recognised artiste convinced fans he was a bearer of true pan-African music.

Mbalax is a type of music from Senegal. It mixes traditional Senegalese percussion with modern instruments such as guitar, keyboard or saxophone. The musician from West Africa showed fans why he is one of the most, sought musicians. He exhibiting amazing and rare guitar strumming prowess. 

The guitars blended well with the African drums, which captivated the audience. His songs Jammu Africa and Dib Dib Rek proved popular with fans that sang along, making the show livelier. Lo curved his name in the Zimbabwean community in the late 90s and became a household name.

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation popularised his songs during television music shows like Mitinhimira wemumhanzi/ezomgido and Afro beat. In Saturday’s performance, Lo did a solo act on the song Tajabone, in which he displayed his unique skills of playing the guitar, harmonica, and singing, much to the admiration of his fans.

His music communicated with his audience. The music vibe was irresistible. Both men and women gyrated to his music, which surely identified with the African community. Lo’s few English vocabulary did not limit him, he communicated with the audience and engage them in his music.

A curvy dread-locked Gina who was part of Lo’s band gave a mouth-watering act which left fans asking for more. She wowed fans as she wiggled, while getting down, much to the delight of the audience. Dailynews