DjiDji

Ivory Coast, Quebec World Music

Biography :

 

DjiDji was born in the mind of Aristide Gnakalé Sahouo in Montreal, in the month of March 2007. A native of Ivory Coast, he is the bass player. He did the rounds of major halls in West Africa, accompanying some of the continent’s best known artists, before heading to Montreal. In Canada, he continued his career, recorded with Jean Leloup, and accompanied Gotta Lago, the Donko group, Samajam, François Cossette and Alpha Yaya Diallo. He also played at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Festival International Nuits d’Afrique and Les Francofolies de Montréal. Meanwhile he also gave courses in traditional bass and percussions. 

Soon after it was formed, DjiDji welcomed another indispensable pillar, William Atchouellou, also from Ivory Coast. A choreographer, dancer and musician, William wandered from stage to stage in West Africa, Europe, Canada, the United States and Mexico. Initially a member of the Ivoirian company Ten Zo, he later led and choreographed shows for the Minneapolis-based Kôtou dance ensemble, from 2003 to 2007. He also gave dance and percussion courses. The third member since the early days is André Dupras, a Canadian with a passion for percussions since age 5. A graduate of the Conservatoire de musique de Montréal, he has accompanied many artists in studio and on stage.

Quebec-born Sylvain Dupras has also been part of the DjiDji adventure since the start. Whether African, Arab or Hawaiian, no percussion instrument can resist him. And Sylvain has another string on his bow: he also plays the guitar.

The latest arrival, Michael Freed, was born in Montreal. A saxophonist and harmonica player, he has been around South America, Europe and North Africa and has developed his talents as a musician and singer in various areas: blues, African styles, jazz and rock. This alliance of such varied worlds is a marvellous opportunity for music, a blend of African beats and sounds supported by western musical instruments, a recipe for delighting audiences’ ears.

 

DjiDji

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