Sierra Leone’s music producer Solomon Fatoma, known as Solo’s Beat, and Afro Soul and RnB songwriter Tracy Jack During have been awarded two out of the four awards for superior musical participation at the Berklee Gnaoua World Music program. Additionally, they have been offered the opportunity to participate in the Careers in Music program at Berklee Valencia in 2025, marking an incredible recognition of their artistry and potential in the music industry.
Tracy and Solo’s Beat expressed their gratitude to Berklee for recognizing their talents and to their Telem community for supporting them on their journey to these global stages. Solo’s Beat, a jazz keyboardist, music producer, songwriter, sound engineer, and self-taught musician, has worked with many of Sierra Leone’s famous artists and has mentored numerous upcoming music producers and artists. Tracy Jack During, an Afro Soul and RnB songwriter, is also a finalist on the Be a Star music show.
The Berklee at the Gnaoua and World Music Festival program offers a unique five-day opportunity to enhance musicianship and proficiency in connecting through a global musical language. Participants engage in continuous performances with musicians from around the world, exposing them to various grooves, rhythmic concepts, harmony, and improvisational approaches. The program guides musicians on how to merge these diverse musical elements seamlessly, contributing to a rich and immersive learning experience. This year, the program took place from June 24 to June 29, 2024, in Essaouira, Morocco.
World-renowned Berklee instructors taught musicians how to intertwine their musical language with others, beginning with active listening and comprehending the musical concepts of their peers. The musicians were challenged to explore various aspects of their instruments to broaden their musical and technical toolkit. This expansion equips them to create, whether through composition, arrangement, or improvisation, across diverse musical styles while enriching their own.
The program, held in partnership with the Gnaoua and World Music Festival, targets musicians from various genres, including classical, Gnaoua traditional, pop, rock, jazz, and more.
