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Born in Japan, but he left for the USA at the age of 15, then moving to France afer high school to study the fine arts in hope to become a painter. Meanwihle he had been trained on the Western music on the Violin and on the Guitar. Soon he discovered the North Indian Classical music and started learning the Tabla and the Sitar in India and in France. He became one of the brilliant disciples of the Sitar maestro Pandit Kushal Das from whom he acquired the great technical skills and the aesthetic approach to interpret the Ragas in pure tradition. Based in Paris, Kengo gives private lessons as well as workshops as a visiting teacher in music schools, and performing live concerts all over the world. Recognized as a rare and a distinguished Rubâb player, Kengo plays the traditional Afghanrepertoire with subtle nuances transmitted by Daud Khan Sadozai, a disciple of the legend of Afghan Rubâb; late Ustad Mohammad Omar. Besides promoting the music of this unique instrument, his flexibility and creativity lead him to collaborate and perform in different styles of musical identities ranging from Japan to Greece. As a composer, he has created a number of original pieces influenced by India, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey and Japan. With his compositions, he successfully directed a group of musicians from different traditions for a UNESCO concert in 2010, and for Aid and Relief Concert for Japan’s Tsunami victims in 2011. Working as a musician of the classical and traditional music of North India and Afghanistan, however at the same time he is deeply involved in today’s musical creativity. As a guest or a member, he has been taking part in various projects in different fields like Jazz, Cross Cultural Collaborations, Traditional and Contemporary Dances, Storytelling etc. He has arranged some Japanese folk melodies for Rubâb which is a successful and unique oeuvre reflecting his Japanese roots. His first solo album “JAPANISTAN” was described by the UK review Songlines as “an example of fusion done properly, with skill, nuance and good tase.” ***** INFORMATION Website: kengosaito-music.com Facebook: Kengo Saito Music Vidéos

Leïla Ssina will be presenting her new album “Sympa” on Thursday, May 26 on stage at the Trois Baudets to celebrate its release on May 27 at Padblem / Rue Stendhal, in partnership with France Bleu 107.1. Leïla Ssina is evolving in a crazy world, where Barbie turns tricks and cows become interns, one where the game of love more closely resembles a game of Battleship than it does a walk in the park. And don’t go thinking that Leïla is satisfied with that! Just as she breathes, she sings: to fight, denounce, and heal her wounds as well … from twists of a wrist to twists of fate, from ranting and raving to fun in the sun, she paints an unvarnished portrait of her life and universe, with its beauty and breadth. Her texts, made with part irony, part optimism, show the only possible stand one can have when facing this troubled world: to be herself, with her acidic yet necessary pop-groove music, and the text in French. The jury of the Pic d’Or made no mistake when granting her the 2013 performance award and ACP-Manufacture Chanson Award. She was selected to take part in the Grand Zebrock music competition and was awarded the Special Jury Prize and the 107.1 France Bleu award, which propelled her onto the “Zebrock” stage at the most recent Fête de l’Humanité. The songs « A payer » and « L’hiver en été » off Leïla Ssina‘s first EP were praised as a French-language favorite on Swiss national radio, Canal 3. She was also one of the finalists in the Métisse talent competition, which led to her playing at the 2015 edition of Solidays. ***** INFORMATION Website: leilassina.net Facebook: ssinaleila Vidéo “Pic d’Or, Prix d’interprétation 2013”

Virginia Rodrigues started her career by singing in both Catholic and Protestant church choirs. In 1997, she was invited by the director Márcio Meirelles to attend Pelô Bye Bye. There she was discovered by Caetano Veloso. Rodrigues regularly appears at festivals of jazz and world music throughout the world, participating in several world tours. Former U.S. president Bill Clinton once said that she was the singer who he liked best in the world and mentioned her in his memoir “My Life.” ***** INFORMATION Listening to the album: Youtube Facebook: Virginia Rodrigues Website: casadefulo.com Videos: “Senhor do Fogo Azul” – live “Vá Cuidar de Sua Vida” – live “Sou eu” – live “Yaya Zumba” – live

The soul / funk band from Toulouse So Groovy presents its new album “Couchsurfing on My Mind“. In 2013, seven musicians and a singer met up and united out of a love for groove, that indefinable style that livens us up right from the very first note. “From the funk of Maceo Parker to the soul of Aretha Franklin, by way of the acid jazz of Jamiroquaï“; it’s a little bit of all that, a subtle blend of the three styles, with some hip-hop and R ‘n B thrown in. In 2014, they were one of the 130 bands in competition on the talent contest “Le Roi de la Zik!” The victory propelled them into the studio, hardly a surprise for their loyal following, who are already convinced that the groove epidemic punishing their feet is still just in its early stages! Indeed, it is live on stage where So Groovy takes it to the third dimension. Off the successful coaching at Metronum in Toulouse with Matthieu Miegeville and Jerkov Musiques, So Groovyunwinds the wound-up, simple as that. The three wind instruments Sébastien Pasero (tenor saxophone), Peter Morenon (trombone), and Thomas Castex (trumpet) have already done the equivalent of a Paris-New York trip with all their moving from stage to stage. Arthur Mary, the psychedelic keyboard player and Guillaume Castex on drums make up for their sitting down by keeping a smooth groove to the beat. The picture would not be complete without mentioning Alexander Cayrel (guitar, lap steel) and Romain Brusini (bass), whose touch make poetry rise from off their strings. On March 25, 2016 So Groovy‘s first album “Couchsurfing on My Mind” was released. Nine tracks that take listeners on a trip through the different kinds of groove, and then makes a stop for one night, like a spur-of-the-moment couchsurfing adventure, to then go on hunting after another style, sometimes warmer, sometimes livelier. ***** INFORMATION Website: sogroovy.fr Facebook: sogroovytheband Clip Groove Defenders Cannibal Lady Live au Rex

The Tunisian jazz band Jazz Oil will release their new album “Lamma” on March 25 Shouka / Quart de Lune / Rue Stendhal / Idol). “Lamma“, which means “encounter” in Arabic, is a very colorful instrumental album. Nidhal Jaoua (qanun) and Slim Abida (bass) give us an artful mix of flavours from the East and the West. A “bridge” between jazz and traditional Arab music. The two composers have sought out a new Tunisian musical identity that goes beyond borders: to reboot the image of the current Tunisian music scene. With their own personal journeys and the eclecticism of their respective artistic endeavors, Slim Abida and Nidhal Jaoua have come out with an album that mixes the warmth of eastern music and the brilliance of Jazz. Some tracks, like “Lila funk” and “Jounoun” also have a touch of funk, “Souvenir” mixes Latin music, jazz and Tunisian music. This album is a message of peace and human reconciliation. ***** INFORMATION Facebook: jazzoil Soundcloud: jazz-oil Vidéo live au Comedy Club Teaser live Comedy Club Vidéo live Journées Musicales de Carthage

Brazilian artist Alê Kali presents her new self-titled album slated for release on May 27 on La Reverb’ / Rue Stendhal. She will be presenting it on stage at the Studio L’Ermitage on Wednesday, June 15. It is the fulfillment of a dream, a lifetime of dedication. After a twenty-year musical career spanning two continents, the singer Alê Kali is presenting her first solo album, full of Brazilian sounds. Samba, rock, bossa nova, forró, soul, funk, African sounds, European heritage … The artist skillfully combines contemporary rhythms and influences from the past, marked by the rich folklore of her country and a protest culture born from out of the military dictatorship . In this work, Alê Kali performs eleven new tailor-made tracks in the company of talented composers and contributors (including Silvano Michelino, who has worked with Chet Baker, Cesaria Evoria, Henri Salvador and Celia Reggiani who is featured on piano on one track. With her bright voice, this Bahian singer tells us about her roots, ideas, experiences and encounters. The alternately poetic, engaged, explosive, and catchy melodies reveal the artist’s personality in small, nuanced strokes. The guitar by Teteu Guillemant, bass by Josias Liashw and percussion by Anthony Duvalle blend with her words and velvety vocals, which take us on a journey through a unique universe beyond borders and time… a treasure. The album, entitled “Alê Kali“, will go on sale starting May 27, 2016 in stores and for download online. ***** INFORMATION Website: alekali.com Facebook: alekali Soundcloud: ale-kali-da-bahia Youtube: Teaser Live

Zé Boiadé presents “Zé Que Casá“, slated for release on May 27 at Rue Stendhal / La Roda. The group will be presenting their new album on stage at Studio L’Ermitage on June 9. Zé Boiadé draws its musical language from French music, the choro, samba and Nordestino rhythms of Brazil. A bit dada, they like to break down and deconstruct sounds and rhythms like a collage, inventing music that is theirs alone, pushing the boundaries between erudite and folk music. The four multi-instrumentalists perform using their voices, 7-string guitars, the 10-string Nordestino violin, as well as the slide trombone and melodica, the cavaquinho and mandolin, and a wide range of percussion instruments such as the pandeiro, congas, the udu, the triangle, the kes kes … By digging ever deeper into traditional music, Zé Boiadé flows freely toward unique and particular songwriting, alternately danceable and contemplative, jumping from frevo and Caboclinho one moment just to suddenly plunge the viewer straight into a song in French or Portuguese. ***** INFORMATION Website: laroda.fr Facebook: zeboiade Soundcloud: compagnie-la-roda Youtube: Teaser

Merging of the combo Forró de Rebeca, which gathers its inspiration in the large North-East Brazilian cultures (Samba de Coco, Capoeira, Baiao, Maracatu…), and the US producer Maga Bo, also founder of “Tropical Bass”, Sociedade Recreativa invites to a powerful journey in the heart of an imaginary territory where electronic arrangements give new life to the ancestral rythms. All is about meetings… Specially in Lyon, french capital of indie music and electronic cultures. Bene ting of a privilegiated playground – “les pentes” (slopes) of Croix Rousse, the musicians of Forró de Rebeca and the universal beats ambassador Maga Bo met during the summer 2014. They immediately get along with each other! Their paths are crossing exactly where the North-estearn roots of the franco-brazilian trio dives into the electronic music deep waters, while Maga Bo, living in Rio de Janeiro for fteen years, can’t stop focusing on the Brazilian Nordeste. The artists multiply the trips between Lyon and Rio de Janeiro. From one shore to the other, Sociedade Recreativa keeps experimenting and nally creates a new style, an « half-way » transatlantic sound. They book an appointment to record their rst album during the summer 2015. The musical palette of the project is enrich by other artistic meetings, such as the Occitan ow of Papet J (Massilia Sound System) or Flavia Coelho’s feline voice. Then comes the step of the explosive live show creation. Thanks to the help of La Cité de la Musique de Romans and the Projet Bizarre in Venissieux, the artists move directly from studio recording to artistic residencies. On stage, the festive energy of Forró de Rebeca troubadours naturally mixes up with Maga Bo’s musical patchwork. The music themes find a new meaning, somewhere between contemporary music innovation and traditions sophistication. ***** INFORMATION Facebook: Sociedade Recreativa Youtube: Clip Boa Noite feat. Papet J

M’Toro Chamou was born in Mayotte, a French overseas department in the Comoros archipelago. An island that has been in flux since becoming part of France, and also embroiled in controversy. Singer, author, composer and guitarist, he is one of the emblematic figures of Mayotte music, songs and messages that will leave their mark on Mayotte forever. His style is a mix of traditional music and modern Western influences such as folk, pop, rock and blues. M’Toro means “brown”, and the Watoro (plural of M’Toro) were the first slaves who fled the plantations or from servitude to the sedan chair (fitako). Such an evocative name already speaks volumes about this revolutionary. It is the music of old that M’Toro Chamou brings to the stage, arranged so that everyone can listen, appreciate and love it without needing to understand the language of Mayotte. The music of M’Toro Chamou builds, through the strength of his melodies and messages, a bridge between differences, between tradition and modernity, between Mayotte and the rest of the world. After spending 16 years in the Metropolis M’Toro Chamou returned to the Indian Ocean, specifically to the island of Reunion, where he recorded the new album with Reunionmusicians, the “bann kréols”. In November 2015 he received recognition via the trophy for best Mayotte artist at the V.O.I (Voice of the Indian Ocean). ***** INFORMATION Website: mtorochamou.com Facebook: M’Toro Chamou – Officiel You Tube: Live Sauvage

Singer songwriter, “artivist”, producer, Seheno was born in Madagascar, she comes from a family of renowned Malagasy musicians, founders of the famous pop band “Ny Railovy“. Her musical upbringing was nurtured by her malagasy roots, a crossover of Africa & Indian Ocean and her attachment for non-conformism and diversity. Her acclaimed debut album “Ka” (Lokanga 2008) won the “coup de coeur” RFI (Radio France Internationale) and she was selected as the guest artist from Madagascar at the Dom Tom Folies 2008 at Francofolies de la Rochelle. “Ka” was an eco-friendly packaged album, unique of its kind, using handmade paper (recycled cotton). This initiative warmly praised by French medias (Bio Consomm’ acteur, Ecolomag, Féminin Bio, Marianne…) was her tribute to the sacred dimension of nature inherited from her culture whereas the unique biodiversity of Madagascar is nowadays at stake. A border free artist, her new album “Hazo Kely” brings ethnic, electronic, blues and pop influences together. Organic and hybrid sound textures mingle with her sensous voice, opening into exotic dreamlands resonating in colorful and groovy Malagasy and English. With her new adventure she delivers an entirely homemade, composed music, with the collaboration of the tabla virtuoso Prabhu Edouard on percussions. Seheno is a maverick artist fiercly independant from musical categories who unveils a new sound in the musicscape of Madagascar. Hazo Kely‘s packaging is made of 100% recycled cardboard and the CD is made with certified recycled polycarbonate. ***** INFORMATION Website: seheno.com Facebook: Seheno You Tube: Lokanga Prod Video clip: “Razoky” (live session)

New hope of the french guitar, Shaï Sebbag travel the world, far beyond our borders, and “initiates our ears to the art of travel , or rather , his journey” (Acoustic Guitar Mag). Artist with many influences, east Slavic music, modern fingerstyle, Shaï has become a major guitarist in France, following the release of his fourth album “Transe“, acclaimed by the biggest names in acoustic guitar (Muriel Anderson, Michel Haumont…etc) and the press (Acoustic Guitarist, Guitar Mag, The Guitar Channel…). Over the tours he has shown in prestigious venues such as the “All Star Guitar Night” in Los Angeles (Second french guitarist in 20 years), the International Jazz Festival in Koktebel Crimea or closer to home the festival “The Sensitive String” in Bordeaux, alongside Juan Carmona and Biréli Lagrène. ***** INFORMATION Website: shai-sebbag.com Facebook: Shai Sebbag Youtube: Shai Sebbag

Sahra Halgan is an emblematic artist from Somaliland, a territory situated in the north of Somalia, de facto independant since 1991, following a terrible civil war. Her songs, in a pure un-artificial musical form, show the world of Somaliland people, their sufferings and joys. Sahra‘s engagement gave her the status of symbol of liberty among the Somaliland diaspora. She now lives in Hargeisa, the capital and spreads the message of recognition of her country, for stability and against violence. ***** INFORMATION Website: sahra-halgan.com Facebook: sahrahalgantrio