Doudou Boicel
Maria de Barros
Morgan Heritage
Omar Pene
Papa Wemba
Soukous Stars
Wyclef Jean
Moto
Chris Combette
Diblo Dibala
Emeline Michel
Hugh Masekela
Lorraine Klaasen
Marce Toumpak
Tabou Combo
Tiken Jah Fakoly
Mighty Sparrow
Harlem Gospel
Shaggy
Ferro Gaita
Paul Urbana
Yerba Buena
Maiwan Stars
 |
||
|
Doudou Boicel, Impresario "The incandescent Doudou Boicel is the father of the Montreal Jazz Festival" (The Gazette, 1995). The festival movement in Canada began in earnest in 1978 with the first of two "Festijazz" organized by Doudou Boicel of Montreal's Rising Sun Celebrity Jazz Club with a lineup of U.S. jazz and blues musicians. The event was held at the famous Place des Arts in Montreal. His primary goal has always been the promotion of Black culture. Jazz has given him the opportunity to fulfil his dream of being a Black impresario on an international scale. For 18 years at his Rising Sun jazz club, Doudou produced legendary jazz, blues, reggae, salsa and alternative artists, such as : in jazz, Dizzy Gillespie, Chet Baker, Cab Calloway, Nina Simone, Esther Philipps, Art Blakey, Dexter Gordon, Hugue Masakela, Phil Wood, Sun Ra, Stanley Turentine, Earl Hynes, Bill Evans, Joe Pass, Eartha Kitt, Wynton Marsalis, Jimmy Smith, Paquito D'Rivera, Max Roach, Albert Mangelsdorf, The Breaker Brothers ; in blues, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, Koko Taylor, Taj Mahal, John Lee Hooker, Big Mama Thornton, Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, Sonny Terry and Brownie Mc Gee, Professor Long Hair, Sun Seal, Albert Collins, Albert King, Luther Allison, Billy Branch, Eddie "Cleanhead" Vinson; in salsa, Tito Puente, Mongo Santa Maria, Ray Baretto, Rising Sun Afro Jazz Orchestra ; in reggae, Culture, Asword, Majek Facheik ; in alternative, J.B.H., Corrosion, Me Mom and Morgentaler. Doudou also produced a number of concerts at Place des Arts, featuring such luminaries as Ray Charles, B.B. King, Count Basie, Oscar Peterson, Sarah Vaughan, Mc Coy Tyner, Woody Herman ; the Concert of the Centuries featuring Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson, James Moody, Hank Jones, Philly Joe Jones ; the Great Blues Immortals featuring Big Mama Thornton, John Lee Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins, Willie Dixon, Memphis Slim, Buddy Guy and Junior Wells, Phil Guy, Louisiana Red and Clifton Chénier. On May 19, 2001, he received the "Flambeau d'Excellence 2001", Honor Award Category, for the promotion of Black culture in Quebec. On November 5, 2004, Doudou was presented with "The Founder's Award" by The Central Brooklyn Jazz Consortium, to honor his work as the founder of the Montreal Jazz Festival, which originated as the "Rising Sun Festijazz". Doudou Boicel's multiple talents include painting, poetry, writing, music composition and cooking. Doudou Boicel, Doudou Boicel studied in Paris at the École supérieure des beaux-arts as well as at the Valands Konstskolas (art school) in Göteborg, Sweden. The vivid, warm hues of his palette reflect the influence of the colorful flora and fauna of his native French Guyana. Doudou's style can be described as expressionist. The works are often autobiographical, depicting scenes from the artist's childhood, but some paintings also explore historical and political issues such as colonialism and world peace. His most recent solo exhibition was held at The Gallery at Victoria Hall in the city of Westmount in Quebec, Canada. The show was extremely well received by the public and by art critics. Doudou Boicel, In 2003, Doudou's book "Si la polygamie m'était contée" was published by Lanctôt Éditeur in Montreal. The English version, "Polygamy, My Crazy Life Story", will soon be available. In 1978, "La Visosonie" was published. This book discusses an approach developed by Doudou to help children experiencing language and communication problems. Doudou also writes poetry. Some of his poems have appeared in publications in Montreal, Paris and Göteborg. For Radio-Canada (Canadian national radio and televion) Doudou has co-produced a number of broadcasts based on his poetry. __________________________________________________ Maria de
Barros "Maria has a voice drenched with soul,
sincerity and romanticism that forms a strong bond with the listener.
She sings straight to your heart."
She uses colorful descriptions like "hospitable," "peaceful,"
"family-oriented," and "strong work ethic" to
describe her ancestral home, but it's the island's incredible melting
pot of music-which includes everything from African and Portuguese
to Argentinean and Cuban influences-that has always inspired her
to set her heart on home. ______________________________________________ Many reggae young bloods take up the task of soul guidance, but Morgan Heritage is the widely acknowledged leader of the pack. Made up of 5 of the 29 children fathered by reggae star Denroy Morgan (who scored a gold-certified single with the 80's "Do Anything for You"), the band named Heritage delivers the message with a warm, inclusive spirituality that's as tangible as the band's muscular, rope-stretched-taut chops and fresh, lyrical inspiration. ______________________________________________ Omar Pene
Singer and composer Omar Pene created the band Super Daimono with Ismael Lô and they started to play traditional music. After some years, they introduced electric guitars and joined the new mbalax style in vogue since the end of the 1970's. Yet, Super Diamono has a distinct, easily recognizable style. Over the years, several musicians have left the band for solo careers or to create offshoots such as Lemzo Diamono, but Super Diamono continues to show both talent and craftsmanship. Existing for more than 20 years now, Super Diamono has always addressed issues concerning youth in its lyrics. This accounts for the band's high popularity among young Senegalese. ______________________________________________ Papa Wemba With his dynamic vocals and flamboyant personality, Papa Wemba has played an essential role in the evolution of Central African music. Respectfully known as "the King of Rumba," Wemba successfully fused African traditions with Western pop and rock influences. A co-founder of Zaiko Langa Langa in 1970, he went on to international attention as the leader of Isife Lokole in 1974, and Viva La Musica in 1976. Wemba "creates wonderfully infectious music, combining the sophistication of a Paris nightclub with the vibe of an African open-air concert. His voice is gold and his music makes you want to dance."-New York Times ______________________________________________ Soukous Stars Derived from the name of the type of music (soukous) that the band plays, the Soukous Stars is an all-star line up of Zairian/Congolese musicians. The band members Nyboma, Lokassa ya Mbongo, and Dally Kimoko have toured such countries as Africa, Europe, North and South America and between them have recorded hundreds of albums. The Soukous Stars are world-famous and have had many hits on the billboard charts worldwide. Lokassa ya Mbongo is the band's rhythm guitarist. He was born in Kinshasa and is one of the few guitarists that have made it to his status of fame and success. Usually such esteem is given to the flashier lead guitars, but Lokassa has proven himself and put himself at the vanguard of guitarists. Lokassa got his start in the 1960's with Tabu Ley Rochereau. He spent 10 years working with Tabu Ley, even playing in the historic 1970 concert at the Paris Olympia. The Soukous Stars is one of the hardest working bands in African show business. Now based in Paris, the band tirelessly entertains happy dance crowds throughout Europe and North America. _____________________________________________ Wyclef Jean Wyclef Jean's extraordinary musical talent has brought him wealth and fame and taken him all over the world. He's been a member of the biggest-selling rap group in history; he's a multi-platinum hit-making solo artist; and he's produced for--and collaborated with-an incredibly diverse array of musical superstars. Throughout his entire career, however, Wyclef Jean has never forgotten where he's come from. He has remembered the places that nurtured his character and creativity as a young man: his native Haiti-where he lived until age nine-as well as the projects of Brooklyn and the streets of New Jersey. On Masquerade, his third solo album, Wyclef focuses his considerable lyrical and musical skills on life in the hood: past, present, and future. These are vivid tales of his childhood and his struggles as a young immigrant on the mean streets of New York. They send both serious messages to the youth wrongly enamored of thug culture and also pleas for peace and love in the future. _____________________________________________ Moto Tilya
Kapia Moto hails from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is a professional dancer who trained at the National Institute of Art in Kinshasa (INA). He danced his way into the National Ballet of Congo and became one of the elite dancers. Moto performed many traditional dances from various regions of Congo during his time with the Ballet. The leopard skin that Moto wears for his performances has an important meaning in his traditional dance culture. During his early days at the National Ballet of Congo, Moto was given a simple costume for wearing during performances. Only when a dancer reaches a high level of training and expertise and becomes a lead dancer, is he given the leopard skin to wear and allowed to perform for chiefs, royalty, and important occasions. The leopard skin was given to him and remains an integral part of his costume for dance performances. Moto has performed with many of Congo's big names, popular bands, and traditional dance groups such as: Wenge Musica, Choc Stars, Eden Musica, Tambour Levallois, Swede-Swede, etc. He has achieved a unique blend of traditional Congolese dances from various regions of this vast central African country with modern forms of dance and expression. Through his dance performances, Moto relates traditional themes, contemporary stories, and cultural messages. __________________________________________ Chris Combette
Christian Combette, singer-composer-poet-producer, is a versatile artist who plays reggae, zouk, Bosanova, and Compa music. He was born in French Guyana on the northern coast of South America, but his parents soon returned to their former home on Martinique in the French West Indies. Combette was a Radio France International Découverte '97 finalist and won in the Groove category at the 6th International Video Festival with a clip of the song Salambô. His appearance at the influential South By Southwest music industry conference in Austin, Texas in March 1998 created a tidal wave of buzz and a strong demand for his recordings and tours in North America. ___________________________________________ Diblo Dibala
Diblo Dibala began playing the guitar as a 12 year-old. When he was 15, he entered a competition alongside Franco, one of Congolese music's biggest stars in the 1960's and 1970's. Diblo's impressive efforts resulted in his securing a job in Franco's band. This was the beginning of a career as a studio musician and arranger. Diblo collaborated on a number of disks with other artists, including Juan Luis Guerra, David, Byrne, and Kanda Bongo Man. ____________________________________________ Emeline Michel
She is the reigning queen of Haitian song. A captivating performer, Michel is a versatile vocalist, accomplished dancer, songwriter, and producer. She has recorded and appeared on concert stages throughout the Caribbean, Europe, North and South America, and Africa for the past 15 years. She sings both in French and also in Haitian Creole. Emeline Michel is beloved by Haitians for combining traditional rhythms with social, political, and inspirational content. She is a member of the new generation of Haitian musicians which also includes guitarist/vocalist Beethovas Obas and the band Boukman Eksperyans and Boukan Guinen. In contrast to most contemporary Haitian music, this new wave of artists emphasizes complex themes, conscious lyrics, and a broad palette of musical styles including the native Haitian compas, twoubadou, and rara-along with jazz, rock, bossa nova, and samba. _____________________________________________ Hugh Masekela The program notes from Hugh Masekela's 2003 Carnegie Hall Concert include the following: Born near Johannesburg in 1939, Hugh Masekela has musical roots that include songs from the streets, church, migrant workers, and political protest-as well as American and European jazz and world music. As a schoolboy in South Africa, Mr. Masekela was introduced to the trumpet by anti-apartheid activist Father Trevor Huddleston, making both the movement and music important influences in his life. Mr Masekela and his schoolmates formed the first South African youth orchestra, the Huddleston Jazz Band; played in dance bands; in 1956 joined the star-studded African Jazz Revue; and in 1958 toured South Africa with the Manhattan Brothers. Mr. Masekela joined Abdullah Ibrahim, Moeketsi, Johnny Gertze, and others to form Jazz Epistle Verse I, becoming the first African group to record an LP. The group performed in front of record-breaking audiences in Johannesburg and Cape Town (1959) Hugh Masekela is the acknowledged father of African jazz and is South Africa's musical ambassador to the world. His trumpet has been an instrument of resistance, a call to freedom and a celebration of the resilience of his people. His powerful blend of jazz, funk, and afro-beat has mourned the tragedy of apartheid and rejoiced at its demise. Masekela is a worldwide superstar and has released over 30 albums. He is a globally renowned trumpeter, who has performed with artists ranging from Louis Armstrong to Paul Simon and Adrian Belew. ___________________________________________ Lorraine
Klaasen The talented woman who is known as "the African Queen" in Montreal, Canada, where she resides, has literally transported her audience to the motherland through her wide repertoire of its songs and infectious rhythms. These include eastern and southern African numbers such as Pata-Pata, The Click Sound, and Malaika (Swahili for "Angel"). They are songs which, in Klaasen's words, "people can relate to." The vivacious Klaasen was born in South Africa. She grew up in a small town called Alberton-not far from Soweto-and was strongly influenced by her mother, Thandi Klaasen, a famous jazz singer. Her mother's close musical associates "Auntie Miriam" Makeba and jazz pianist Abdullah Ibrahim gave Klaasen her first awareness of music and rhythm. It is ironic that up until her arrival in Canada, she was heavily interested in American music. Since her arrival in Canada, however, her uniquely African voice has continually mesmerized her audiences. ______________________________________________ Marce Toumpak
TOUMPAK! It's the sound the drum makes when mastered by a pair of skillful hands. One hand hits the drum TOUM, then the other hand PAK! Onstage, the drum players-sitting in a semi-circle, standing, or walking around with their drums hanging from their waists-let the voice of their instruments rise up in unison. The drums are talking, calling, and responding with their common sound TOUMPAK! Marce Toumpak's unique voice--rich, deep, and in the pure tradition of the Caribbean countryside singers--tells stories of everyday life, sometimes with sadness. It always fits perfectly within the instruments' dialogue, whether old or modern electric guitars, keyboard, or others. All these instruments combine to give the style its zouk rocking sound-surprising at times, but definitely infectious and HOT MUSIC. ______________________________________________ Tabou Combo Rhythm is the essence of Tabou Combo," says Tabou Combo's co-founder and ex-drummer Herman Nau. The infectious rhythm of Haiti's national dance music, Konpa (con-pah), has propelled the country's preeminent dance band around the world. The 12 members of the band have covered many territories since leaving Haiti and relocating to New York City in 1971. By that time, Tabou had already established itself as Haiti's number one group, and as the "Ambassadors of Konpa." Tabou Combo now has worldwide fans and followers from London to Paris, Holland, Switzerland, Japan, South America, throughout the Caribbean and in North America. _______________________________________________ Tiken Jah Fakoly Tiken Jah Fakoly, born in the Ivory Coast,
started at the age of 20 when he recorded his first demo with a
Ghanaian guitarist. Preferring live performances to studio work
he formed his own band the Djelys who proved to be hugely popular.
________________________________________________
Better known as The Mighty Sparrow, affectionately dubbed, The Birdie is the unrivaled Calypso King of the World, with a career that spans over 40 years and counting. This artist par excellence has earned his rightful place as "King of the Calypso World" by defeating every other competitor/pretender to his throne. He has entertained audiences across the globe, including, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, to name but a few. ________________________________________________ Harlem Gospel Choir The world famous Harlem Gospel Choir is one of the pre-eminent gospel choirs in the world and travels the globe, sharing the joy of faith through its music, and raising funds for children's charities wherever possible. The Choir was founded in 1986 by Allen Bailey, who got the idea for the Choir while attending a celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at the renowned Cotton Club in Harlem. The Choir has some of the finest singers and musicians from the many Black Churches in Harlem. ________________________________________________ Shaggy Emerging in the early '90s, Shaggy was the biggest crossover success in dancehall reggae. Not only did he become the genre's most commercially potent artist in the international market, he was also more than just a typical flash in the pan, managing to sustain a career over the course of several highly popular albums. Perhaps in part because he wasn't based in Jamaica, he never really needed to have it both ways: virtually ignoring the hardcore dancehall crowd, his music was unabashedly geared toward good times, a friendly (if horny) persona, and catchy party anthems. He wasn't shy about lifting hooks wholesale from pop hits of the past, a chart-ready blueprint similar to that of hip-hop stars like Puff Daddy, but he also had fairly eclectic tastes, giving his records a musical variety lacking from other dancehall stars. As a result, he became one of the scant few reggae artists to top the album and pop singles charts in America, not to mention numerous other countries where he's had even greater success. ________________________________________________ Ferro Gaita two obsessing words which indicate a single group. But which could also be used to him as proclamation, to even be used as instructions to include/understand the funana.The funana, appeared at the beginning of last century is the popular dance of Santiago. Traditionally played with the "gaita" (accordion) accompanied by the "ferrinho" (kind of iron reco-reco), it is in the beginning a dance of peasants, the jerked rate/rhythm, very African, whose accents of the accordion point out remote Portuguese melodies. Left the shade after independence, modernized by an electric instrumentation and arrangements inspired of the jazz and rock'n'roll, it became the standard of youth capverdienne and the symbol of hard conquered independence.Ferro gaita it is indeed of the conjunction of a metal plate (ferro) scraped in all directions and of an accordion (gaita) overworked that come more reinvigorating songs of the archipelago.Ferro gaita, the generations followed one another without the heart of the funana not being lost. During the Nineties, some young people who had grown with the sound of the reggae have in their turn held up the ferro one and the gaita, which they linked in the same heavy pulsation, hypnotic. Success was instantaneous. From Boston in Rotterdam, they from now on are regarded as the kings of the funana. ________________________________________________ One man, an acoustic guitar, and the grittiest blues voice in the world - Paul Ubana Jones is a unique and powerful talent. He has made audiences the world over sit up and listen, through the force of his artistry and stage presence.Born and raised in London to a Nigerian father and an English mother, Paul began playing at the age of eleven. A scholarship to the Chiswick Music Conservatory followed, where he studied classical guitar for four years. He played in a variety of bands, including Delroi Williams' Soul Explosion, and toured in Europe and North Africa. Paul's musical journey continued with a move to California and then to the south of France, where he appeared at the Bourges Festival de Printemps and at Passage du Nord Ouest in Paris. Paul Ubana Jones has resided in New Zealand since 1985 and in this time he has established a large network of fans. He has toured extensively, both in concerts and in educational guitar workshops sponsored by QE2. He has been the opening act for Ladysmith Black Mambazo and crowded house, which exposed him nationally to large audiences, as well as making dedicated fans of Womack and the Womack and Phoebe Snow. Four albums for New Zealand's Pagan label were followed by one in the United States for Flying Fish Records. This highly acclaimed release has led to invitations from major festivals, including Vancouver, Winnipeg, Owen Sound and the Philadelphia Folk Festival, where he made a strong impact on thousands of unsuspecting listeners. Both Taj Mahal and Tuck & Patti have asked him to open concerts at UCLA and Slim's, among other venues. ________________________________________________ The Latin American collective Yerba Buena was organized by producer and multi-instrumentalist Andres Levin, a native Venezuelan who'd appeared on records by Marisa Monte, Arto Lindsay, los Aterciopelados, and Tina Turner, as well as helming the critically acclaimed Fela Kuti tribute Red Hot + Riot. Yerba Buena arose from Levin's wish to bring together a band capable of melding forms old and new, learning from each other in the form of a school. Gradually, the lineup coalesced, including vocalists Xiomara Laugart, Cucu Diamantes, and El Chino, percussionist Pedro Martinez, reed player Ron Blake, trumpeter Rashawn Ross, bassist Sebastian Steinberg, drummers Terreon "Tank" Gully and Horacio "El Negro" Hernandez. After dates supporting the Dave Matthews Band, Yerba Buena signed to Razor & Tie and released their 2003 debut, President Alien. _________________________________________________ Maiwan Stars were discovered in 1999 in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo; they are an all-star line up of talented young artists at the forefront of the Congolese music scene. The leaders of the group Menayame Jordan (lead guitar), Mbuandi Mbumba Joli (vocals), Mawunganga Socrates (drums), have recorded three albums together along with several other guest artists. Having toured such countries as Senegal, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, South Africa, Benin and Ghana, Maiwan Stars has achieved great fame in West Africa and their latest cd entitled “Coup de Pioche” has already sold more than 75,000 copies in Europe and the US since its release. Maiwan Stars began as the brainchild of renowned New York based producer, Charly Maiwan. Mr Maiwan first met with the lead members of the group at the MASA Festival in the Ivory Coast. It was after he saw them perform together onstage he met with the 3 leaders of the group that he realized how talented these musicians were. MBUANDI JOLI is the core of the group as the singer He starts dancing and singing at the age of 12 and perfect his art with the band Maiwan Atars. Menayame Jordan one of the best guitar player who is refer as the Magic guitar finger says that to form a band and make it last : “you have to pick people of good character”. Mawunsunga is revered as the best drummer in all Africa. He is especially know for his infectious plucking of the beat that draws the audience to his beats. He earned his reputation as a great drummer, with other great musicians as Koffi Olomide, Sam Mangwana and Diblo Dibala.,… By infusing Cuban rumba and African dance music, soukous congolese pop music was born. MAIWAN STARS musical style has pushed African
music to another higher level on the world music chants.
|
            |
|
 |