Real World Records

Juldeh Camara

Born in 1966 in Basse, West Africa, Juldeh Camara is a Gambian griot and master musician.

His blind father received the gift of music from forest spirits who took the use of his eyes in return. Playing the Ritti, a one- stringed fiddle, he participated as a griot in traditional Fula society. Camara has been recognised as the leading ritti player in the world. Camara has played with The Blind Boys of Alabama, Batani Marimba and kora player Seckou Keita. More recently he has establised a successful partnership with Justin Adams, releasing their collaborative album "Soul Science" and "Tell No Lies" in May 2009.

"Gambian musician Juldeh Camara is a virtuoso on the ritti. In his hands, this rustic, one-stringed fiddle provides a supple accompaniment to his vocals: rolling fables, wry observations and passionate declamations, all sung in the Fulani language. He's an immensely likable performer..." The Guardian

Juldeh has the drive and effortless flow of a great Bluesman. While his instrument brings to mind Delta players like Big Joe Williams, as well as Ali Farka Touré, there is a lilt in his playing that hints at the ancient links between North Africa and the Celtic World. He describes magical shapes on his ritti; one minute it's Blues harp, the next a Celtic fiddle, then a Saharan herdsman's flute. It is hard to believe all this emotion, range and flexibility comes from just one string.