Njacko Backo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Njacko Backo
Backo at the Mihadi International Drumming Day, Toronto, 2013
Background information
Born	1958 Bazou, Cameroon
Instruments	Kalimba (drum), African Harp

Njacko Backo is a talented musician, poet, and composer from Cameroon, a country in Africa. He was born in 1958 into a family that loved music. Njacko grew up in a village called Bazou, where he first learned about music. Like many children there, he started playing percussion and even made his own instruments.

With help from his grandmother, Njacko met the older, wise people in his village. They taught him how to play different instruments. He learned drumming, the kalimba (also known as the thumb piano, which he plays with his fingers), and an African harp called the zaa koua.

About Njacko Backo

Njacko Backo was born in 1958 in Bazou, Cameroon. When he was about 16 or 17, he left Cameroon. He traveled through West Africa and France before settling in the Netherlands. Later, he moved to Toronto, Canada. There, he met Val Woloshyn, and they started a relationship.

Njacko's daughter, Clark Backo, is a well-known actress. Today, Njacko lives in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Njacko's Music Career

Njacko Backo is a special musician because he often makes his own instruments. He is known as one of the few Kalimba players in the Western world. He also plays the Zaa Koua, which adds a unique sound to his music.

He has worked with many famous African artists. In 1990, Njacko started his own band called Njacko Backo and Kalimba Kalimba. They have released 11 full-length albums on their own.

Njacko has performed at many big music events. These include the Montreal Jazz Festival in Canada, the Louisiana Folk Festival in the USA, and the Houston International Jazz Festival. He has also created music for movies like To Walk with Lions, Born Free, and Spirit in the Tree.

Besides making music, Njacko loves to teach. He works with an organization called Mariposa in the Schools. Through this, he teaches African drumming to many students in the Greater Toronto Area. He has also created three instructional CDs and DVDs to help others learn. In October 2022, Njacko visited the DSBN Academy. He gave a big presentation about Cameroon and his instruments to many students.

Njacko's Albums

Njacko Backo has released many albums over the years. Here are some of them:

• Bamileke Reggae (1986)
• Le Destin (1988)
• Aventure au Desert (1989-1992)
• Resurrection (1987-1992)
• Nkoni (1996)
• Lode Yeuk (1999)
• Kakoua (2000)
• The Conscience of Africa (2003)
• Ba Ba Oh (2006)
• Ou est l’Amour [Where is the Love] (2011)
• Ici Bas Rien Nest Impossible (2013)

CDs and DVDs for Learning

• J'aime mon école (2019)
• À Tous Les Enfants De La Terre (2019)

Awards and Recognitions

Njacko Backo has received several awards and honors for his music:

• He won the Fiati Memorial Award for Best Traditional Performance from Music Africa in Toronto (1999).
• His song "Afrique Réveille Toi" won first prize in the 17th Annual Billboard World Song Contest.
• He was nominated for a 2013 Canadian Folk Music Award for his album "Ici Bas, Rien N’est Impossible" in the World Group of the Year category.
• His song "Mama Oh" received an honorable mention in the World Music category of the 2006 International Songwriting Competition. It also got an honorable mention in the 15th Annual Billboard World Song Contest.
• In 2021, he was nominated for a Canadian Juno Award (Children's Album of the Year) for his album "J'aime mon école" with Kalimbas at Work.