The word ‘music’ means a series of sounds made from various instruments or voices in a way that sounds pleasant and exciting. Undisputablly the world’s most top flight source of entertainment, music is played in different formats.

A musical lyric is akin to a medical doze for a patience who is receiving treatment. Music had played and continues to play an important role in our daily lives. It is used for different purposes such as spreading messages of peace, unity and the need for love of humanity, among others. People of different times and cultures have contributed significantly towards the development, promotion and preservation of the spirit of music throughout the world.

People like Bob Marley and others are known for their spirited preachings and spread of prophetic messages through the use of musical lyrics. Bob Marley, the renowned legend of reggae music, was quoted in one of his musical lyrics as saying: "music, when it hits you, you feel no pain’’.

June 21st is set aside as the World Music day, celebrated annually by artists and musicians of all categories. As part of a series of activities marking the day, Alliance Franco Gambienne (AFG), in collaboration with Comium Company Ltd, a private GSM service provider and the Gambia Musicians’ Association, last Saturday, held a massive music jamboree at the Alliance Franco-Gambienne Garden on Kairaba Avenue.

This somewhat rare musical Jamboree,which started from June 21st, ran into the wee hours of June 22nd, and it brought together artists and musicians from both within and outside the Gambia, the likes of the famours Armaquedon Band from Guinea Bissau, Jaliba Kuyateh, the Gambia’s king of kora, cultural ambassador, UNICEF’s Goodwill ambassador, among various other heavyweights in the industry.

Mr Pascal Rezzock, director general (DG) of Alliance Franco Gambienne, speaking during an exclusive chat with Arts and Culture at the site of the occasion, gave a brief historical background of the World Music Day. According to the AFG boss, one man called Mr Jacklang, founder of the Alliance Franco (AF) in Paris, France, had intiated the celebration about 20 years ago. He added that AF is an institution established for the promotion,development and preservation of the French and other cultures throughout the world.

Ebrima Jorbateh, 7-year old son of Fili Jorbateh,founder and coordinator of the Kanbeng Band in Brikama, Western Region, officially opened the show. His thanked the organisers of the event for what he called a positive step geared towards the development of arts and culture in the Gambia. The Brikama based cultural musician further expressed optimism and confidence in the future of the Gambian music industry.