ALUNE WADE, the Senegalese singer and bass virtuoso, was handpicked by Marcus Miller to record on Miller's album ‘Afrodeezia’ in 2015 – a testament to his extraordinary talent. However, Wade's journey to success began even earlier when he was discovered by Ismaël Lô at the age of 18. Since then, he has performed and recorded with an impressive array of contemporary music legends, including Salif Keita, Oumou Sangaré, Bobby McFerrin, Joe Zawinul, Fatoumata Diawara, Paco Sery, Christian Muthspiel, Bela Fleck, Cheick Tidiane Seck, Deep Forest, and Gregory Porter.

ALUNE WADE leads audiences on a captivating musical journey that traverses West Africa and North Africa, weaving through Ethiopia and guided by Arabic-Andalusian sounds and Berber music. He skillfully arranges these influences with the flavors of Afrobeat, the melodic maqams of Arabic music, and the soulful essence of jazz. On stage, Alune exudes a quiet authority and intense power, creating a very special jazz experience that shines with a sophisticated urban finish. Drawing inspiration from the vibrant metropolises of Paris, New York, and Dakar, he truly embodies cosmopolitan music.

His latest album, "SULTAN" (enja & yellow bird, 2022), marks his fifth musical endeavor and builds a seamless bridge between Africa and the Middle East. The title "Sultan," an Arabic word encompassing both feminine and masculine values, is used in Turkish, Bengali, Avar, and Urdu languages. This album epitomizes multiculturalism, blending unique rhythms and sounds from jazz, Afrobeat, and Berber music traditions.

Alune Wade's interests extend beyond music; he is deeply passionate about the African diaspora and the diverse facets of African culture worldwide. Through his encounters with the Falasha, Ethiopian Jews who migrated to Israel, Wade gained a profound awareness of the unbreakable connection between Africa and the Middle East. He delves into Africa's history using original sources, seeking the truth about the continent. The tracks on the "SULTAN" album take listeners on a captivating journey from Djerba to Istanbul, Dakar to Bangladesh, and Kairouan to the Kingdom of Sheba, exploring Arabic-Andalusian and Berber influences along with Western scales and Eastern Maqâms.

Hailed as "a super talent" in the current jazz and afrobeat scene by Deutschlandfunk Kultur, Alune Wade was born in Dakar, Senegal, into a highly musical environment. His father, a Paris-trained musician, led the Senegalese Army Symphony Orchestra. Under his parents' guidance, Alune was introduced to classical music, jazz, and soul. At the age of seven, he took his first piano lessons and learned music theory at home. Over time, he explored the drums and guitar before finding his true calling in the bass, which has become an essential part of his musical identity. For Alune, the electric bass and double bass are natural extensions of his African roots, offering fabulous rhythmic possibilities across genres, from classical to jazz to world music. The bass serves as the backbone of the orchestra, forging a valuable link between rhythm and harmony.

As a remarkable figure in today's jazz and afrobeat scene, Alune Wade showcases his eclectic and highly creative compositions on his latest album, captivating audiences on major stages worldwide. His artistry has earned acclaim, with Downbeat magazine placing "SULTAN" among the 50 best albums of 2022.

PRESS CLIPPING. Downbeat 9/22 | Jazziz 8/22 | Jazzthetik 7-8/22 | Artfuse | Radiofabrik …..