BAI KAMARA JR
& The Voodoo Sniffers

Three years after the release of his critically acclaimed album Salone, Bai Kamara Jr returns with Traveling Medicine Man, a 13 track collection of blues songs portrayed in Bai’s unique style. In a descriptive, provocative and sometimes suggestive way, the tales of love, life, relationships, politics and innuendo are meticulously explored by the raconteur.

“Traveling Medicine Man is the continuation of my introspective journey through my roots and my perpetual quest to make my two homes, Africa and Europe, coexist within me. The title was inspired by my maternal grandfather Tinka Tanner Kargbo, born in 1901 in the Northern Province of Sierra Leone. He was educated by Protestant missionaries and later traveled with them across the country to help provide medical care to villagers and townspeople. I was fortunate enough to have spent some time with my grandfather when I was still a child, and one of the things that fascinated me the most about him was his ability to reconcile his Christian beliefs with his traditional African beliefs and customs.” 

– Bai Kamara Jr

For the making of this album Bai brought his touring band, The Voodoo Sniffers, into the studio; these exceptional musicians contributed to Bai’s unique and evolving sound. With a percussive nature at the heart of the arrangements this rootsy blues is spiced up with an afro vibe, making you want to get up and dance more often than not.

“My musical and artistic journey has now led me to this pivotal stage of my career where the Salone project (which means Sierra Leone in the Krio language) finally allows me to delve into my African roots and more specifically those of Sierra Leone, my country of origin. Never before had I had the strength to undertake this work.
Salone is also the title of my new blues and roots album, and The Voodoo Sniffers is the name of my new band. Although I was born in Sierra Leone, I have never played or made music in Africa. My first steps into the world of music were made while at school in England. As a professional musician, it was Belgium that gave birth to me. Though I was predestined to live my childhood, adolescence and adult life between the continents of Africa and Europe, the rhythms and sounds of Africa have always lived in me.
Artistically, the making of this album (where I played all the instruments and sang all the voices) was a spiritual, joyful, refreshing and rewarding introspection. I put all my soul and heart into it. As the blues has always been at the heart of my artistic journey it was the obvious and perfect vehicle to express my feelings and musical inspirations for this expedition into the roots of my African heritage.”

– Bai Kamara Jr