Waaberi

Waaberi is a Somalian musical group.

A jazz-inflected music troupe, begun by members of the Radio Artistes Association, was supported by the Somali government during the time of the Somali Republic as part of the Somali National Theater, and made tours throughout several countries in Africa, including Tanzania and Sudan.Johnson, John William. "Somalia". "New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians" Online.] After a coup in 1969, the ensemble was renamed Waaberi, which means "Dawn Players". The group continued to exist as a private organization into the 1990s.

Vocalist Maryam Mursal, the first woman to play Somali jazz, was a member of the ensemble. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:a9fyxqrhld0e~T1 Biography] , Allmusic.com.] After performing at the English WOMAD festival in 1997, the group toured North America in 1998, and recorded an album with Egyptian musician Hossam Ramzy.

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