Tell me why I do like mondays… with The Joël Rabesolo Group
In a country full of outstanding
musicians Joël Rabesolo is recognized
as Madagascar’s leading jazz guitarist,
combining contemporary jazz with a
touch of traditional Malagasy styles.
Like most players on the island he
doesn’t use a pick, but plucks with all
five fingers. This allows him to create
complex rhythms and multiple
simultaneous lines. Very unusually, Joël
plays left-handed guitar in an “upsidedown”
configuration. The low strings are
on the top and the high strings are on
the bottom, the reverse of a standard
guitar. This, along with his highly
imaginative approach, undoubtedly
contributes to his unique style of
playing.
Joël is currently in Europe to record with
the legendary Linley Marthe, bassist in
Joe Zawinul’s last group and considered
by many as the best bass player in the
world today.
European audiences now have the chance to appreciate The Joël Rabesolo Group,
which will include two other superb Malagasy musicians. Drummer Ndrina Kely was
described in L’Express de Madagascar as “an incredible talent” and “one of the
revelations of the last Madajazzcar international festival”. Bassist Liva
Raveloarijaonan, based in Strasbourg, is among Madagascar’s best-known jazz
players. Guest vocalist Monika Njava, celebrated across Madagascar as a true diva,
has recorded and toured with the platinum-selling group Deep Forest.
Together, the Joël Rabesolo Group offers improvisational brilliance, technical
fireworks, deep musicality and a sense of playfulness onstage. Their repertoire
ranges from Metheny-like smoothness to rapid-fire tsapiky, from sensitive ballads to
rocked-out madness. A fresh new sound from the Red Island.
Tell me why I do like mondays… with The Joël Rabesolo Group
Monday 27 May 2013
Live session at 5pm – Free Entrance
In a country full of outstanding
musicians Joël Rabesolo is recognized
as Madagascar’s leading jazz guitarist,
combining contemporary jazz with a
touch of traditional Malagasy styles.
Like most players on the island he
doesn’t use a pick, but plucks with all
five fingers. This allows him to create
complex rhythms and multiple
simultaneous lines. Very unusually, Joël
plays left-handed guitar in an “upsidedown”
configuration. The low strings are
on the top and the high strings are on
the bottom, the reverse of a standard
guitar. This, along with his highly
imaginative approach, undoubtedly
contributes to his unique style of
playing.
Joël is currently in Europe to record with
the legendary Linley Marthe, bassist in
Joe Zawinul’s last group and considered
by many as the best bass player in the
world today.
European audiences now have the chance to appreciate The Joël Rabesolo Group,
which will include two other superb Malagasy musicians. Drummer Ndrina Kely was
described in L’Express de Madagascar as “an incredible talent” and “one of the
revelations of the last Madajazzcar international festival”. Bassist Liva
Raveloarijaonan, based in Strasbourg, is among Madagascar’s best-known jazz
players. Guest vocalist Monika Njava, celebrated across Madagascar as a true diva,
has recorded and toured with the platinum-selling group Deep Forest.
Together, the Joël Rabesolo Group offers improvisational brilliance, technical
fireworks, deep musicality and a sense of playfulness onstage. Their repertoire
ranges from Metheny-like smoothness to rapid-fire tsapiky, from sensitive ballads to
rocked-out madness. A fresh new sound from the Red Island.
