La Boum

LA BOUM! is a Scottish band with a unique and instantly recognisable sound.

Drawing inspiration from all over the world the music is essentially song driven, at once highly danceable and delicate. The sound of La Boum! is a big one. The ten piece is distinguished by the guitar and voice of Tom Salter, which bring echoes of the music and musicians he has worked with in Africa. Tom's lead vocal is complemented by a horn section and 3 piece vocal section, Wee Free.

The band is creating a new and cohesive form all their own from the welter of musical styles around us. In La Boum! African influences mesh with the rich urban and folk traditions of cosmopolitan Scotland. La Boum! features a formidable line-up of already well-known stars of the Scottish music scene - Ben Ivitsky (Eliza Carthy Band) on guitar and fiddle, Donald Hay (Mystery Juice, Sun Honey) on drums. Powerful harmonies flow from Wee Free, comprising of Mary Macmaster (Poozies), Heather Macleod (Eliza Carthy Band).

A strong Malian thread dates from the time Tom spent living and playing with the legendary Ali Farka Toure in the early 90s. Tom still joins Ali on stage as his guest on his now rare appearances. Snatches of Congolese rumba, Zimbabwean jit and mbalax from Senegal can also be heard. These originate from Tom's time with other great African musicians: Thomas Mapfumo's guitarist Jonah Sithole (the father of the mbira sound); Bob Sen of Super Diamono de Dakar; and the late great Biggie Thembo who inspired the Bundu boys.

A heady mixture of dance, ambient rumba, jazz and folk - music for the global village dancehall!

Indeed, La Boum! have enjoyed many a night playing in village halls, and at parties and benefits, but have steadily moved onto the stages of Scotland's major festivals and happily accepted an invite to play as part of London's BBC Music Live event on the South Bank. Edinburgh Festival 2000 saw them feature twice in Best of the Fest programmes. They closed the World Art Stage, with a live Internet broadcast, for the Finale event on the Ross Bandstand in Edinburgh's Princes St Gardens, against the majestic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle and live on BBC Radio Scotland's Celtic Connections Special. They have had regular airplay on Radio Scotland ever since.