Raye Jones Avery

Pape Demba “Paco” Samb

Paco is a griot. He comes from the Samb family, they have been the keepers of the ancestral history, stories, and music of his native Wolof peoples in Senegal for hundreds of years. His mother was a dancer and a singer; his father a drummer, and his brothers and sisters all dance, sing and play drums. Paco plays both traditional and contemporary Senegalese music. He led his group Super Ngewel and is internationally known having performed with many major musicians based in Senegal and the Gambia including Senemaio, Ballet Gorgoru, Dormu Africa, Ballet Ngangan, African Ballet, Katchikaly, Youssou N’Dour Cultural Group, Marie Samuel N’Diaye Group, Batin Band, Laba Sosseh, Moussa Ngom and Bala Sidibe’.