A rising Swedes music sensation, Anna-Malin Andersdotter alias Salona, has concluded a weeklong visit to The Gambia during which she met some Gambian artistes to discuss ways of forging and cementing constructive and fruitful working bond.

Speaking to Entertainment shortly before her departure, Salona described her trip to the Smiling Coast of Africa as a thundering success, in that, it offered her the ‘unique’ opportunity to meet and associate with like-minded people to chart a way forward for long-term poverty-reducing projects in the impoverished tiny West African state. She said the visit also gave her the chance to discover Gambia, which was hitherto uncovered to her.

“Gambian people are hospitable people and are unique in their civility to guests. My stay in The Gambia offered me a romantic and an exhilarating experience, hence my resolution to return to the country in the near future to not only stage musical concerts but to also embark on projects. I want to be part of Gambia’s diverse but homogenous cultures as Africa is my homeland,” posited Salona.

She promised that she would strive with might and main to contribute to the promotion of the country’s budding music sector.

The promising Reggae star added: “One of the reasons for my visit to The Gambia is to infuse traditional music in modern Reggae and Hip-Hop among other strands of music. As a singer cum dancer with experience, I would use my ability to work towards the attainment of world peace, justice and development. I have plans to work with organizations to help me in actualizing my dreams of coming up with projects in Gambia.”

Count Down to Biggest Show

The Jamaica’s living illustrious reggae legendary, Glen Washington, to be accompanied by his renowned star-studded ensemble are expected to breeze into the country on Friday 29 June 2007 for a live concert.

The long-awaited and much-talked about musical splash, which is slated to take place on Saturday 30 June at the Independence Stadium, is conceived and organized by Africa Link Up Promotion.
In an interview with The Point, a Holland-born music impresario John Bloem who spearheaded the event said that the concert would see Glen sharing the same stage with other big-time reggae exponents from Jamaica, Senegal and The Gambia.

Also talking this paper, DJ Focks, the Gambian promoter said that Glen is poised to perform two hours non-stop, adding that Glen will also sing some of his unreleased songs.

Meanwhile, Timshel, a famous reggae musical group from neighbouring Senegal, Dr Oluganda of The Gambia and a guest DJ from the United Kingdom will be among the high profile figures on the night.

This would be the first time in the history of Gambian showbiz for Glen to perform live on Gambian soil. As a result, Gambians from all walks of life are now in frenzy mood for the show.

The Jamaican reggae heavyweight, Glen Washington, alongside his world-acclaimed star-studded band are set to set stage a day’s earth-trembling gig in the Smiling Coast of Africa, The Gambia on Saturday 30th June at the main bowl of the Independence Stadium, Bakau.

Local organisers of the show told this paper that Glen Washington would be sharing the same stage with topflight reggae artistes from the sub-region.