Journey to the roots of Jazz
The Alliance française de Kotte in collaboration with the Embassy of
France in Sri Lanka and Culturesfrance presents France’s Blick Bassy and
his musicians on the 16 October 2010 as part of the Jazz Festival in
Mount Lavinia, “Jazz at the Mount”.
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Blick Bassy |
Blick Bassy, a Cameroon-born musician based in France, is a soul
singer in the sense of vocals that come from within. Bassy says, “The
soul of my music isn’t so much in the words, it’s in the way of singing.
In fact, the melody is a mould for the words.”
Blick Bassy is the singer / songwriter / guitarist / percussionist
who connects the music of Central and West Africa and mixes it with
bossa nova, jazz and soul.
Bassy’s guitar playing and intoxicating, soft voice are enriched by
the kora, calabash and a double bass resulting in a unique, haunting
sound which is velvety with subtle harmonies, yet also raw with groovy
rhythms.
In Paris, where he has been living for many years now, he freelanced
as a musician with top names such as Manu Dibango, Cheick Tidiane Seck,
Lokua Kanza, and Etienne Mbappe.
He performs at this year’s “Jazz at the Mount” Festival on 16 October
at 8.30pm. This Festival reflects the mission to promote Mount Lavinia
as Sri Lanka’s jazz hotspot for the local and foreign travellers and to
develop a world class event with the intention of creating an iconic
event so that Sri Lanka will be placed in the headlines across the
world.
Other big names are due on the 15th and 16th from India, USA,
Australia and indeed the fabulous line up of local jazz musicians who
have taken the Jazz circle in Sri Lanka by storm. JAZZ at the Mount 2010
will boast of eight hours of live musical performances focusing on vocal
and instrumental Jazz sessions. |
