Blog December 7, 2015
Je Suis Soul! A Tribute to African Soul and Jazz
"Je Suis Soul! A Tribute to African Soul and Jazz" presented a celebration of unity by highlighting the crosscurrents of African, French and American soul at the music’s New York home, the Apollo Theater. The Dec. 5 concert, featuring Manu Dibango, Salle Jean, Les Nubians, Ben L’Oncle Soul and San Francisco’s Monophonics, was the centerpiece of a weekend celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Jazz à Vienne Festival.
[caption id="attachment_26582" align="alignnone" width="640"]
Ben L'Oncle Soul, backed by San Francisco's Monophonics, at the Apollo Theater. Photo by William Farrington[/caption]
After a moment of silence for the victims of recent terrorist incidents, Ben L’Oncle Soul got it started with a crisp six-song set backed by the Bay Area band the Monophonics, a collaboration that began with Ben’s latest album, A Coupe de Reves. "You Got My Back," from that album, and a cover of the Supremes' "My World Is Empty Without You," over a reggae-inflected rhythm, were stand-outs.
[caption id="attachment_26583" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
Les Nubians, Célia Faussart, right, and Hélène. Photo by William Farrington[/caption]
The Cameroonian/French sister-duet of Les Nubians followed, captivating the audience with their soaring vocal interplay and rhythmically fluid movement, anchored by a solid stream of funky beats from Shaun Kelly, drums; Fred Eugene Doumbe, bass; John Roggie, keyboards; Masaharu Shimizu, guitar; and Queen Aaminah, backing vocals.
[caption id="attachment_26586" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
Manu Dibango on soprano sax with special guest vocalist Salle Jean. Photo by William Farrington[/caption]
The Soul Makossa Gang had already energized the crowd with a churning makossa rhythm that was completed when Manu Dibango stepped onto the Apollo stage for the first time since 1973, the constantly shifting tempos and rhythms complementing his playing. Then special guest Salle Jean took the music back to its Cameroonian roots. Jean, a renowned performer in the ambass-bey folk tradition, sang two songs and added a bit of folk dancing to the delight of the audience.
[caption id="attachment_26588" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
(L-R) Salle Jean, Isabel Gonzalez, Manu Dibango and Valerie Belinga acknowledge the audience after they performed at the Apollo Theater in Harlem for the first time since 1973 at "Je Suis Soul! A Salute to African Soul and Jazz." Photo by William Farrington[/caption]
The three-hour show concluded with a Soul Makossa jam session that included all of the artists on the bill, joined by Kaissa, who once sang backup in his band. The Soul Makossa Gang included Raymond Doumbe, bass; Jacques Conti-Bilong, drums; Guy Nwogang, percussion; Patrick Marie-Magdelaine, guitar; Julien Agazar, keyboard; Valerie Belinga and Isabel Gonzalez, vocals.
[caption id="attachment_26581" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
Ben L'Oncle Soul backed by San Francisco 's Monophonics, at the Apollo Theater's "Je Suis Soul" concert, Sat., Dec. 5, 2015. Photo by William Farrington[/caption]
You may also enjoy the "Best of The Beat on Afropop" feature on Manu Dibango.
Ben L'Oncle Soul, backed by San Francisco's Monophonics, at the Apollo Theater. Photo by William Farrington[/caption]
After a moment of silence for the victims of recent terrorist incidents, Ben L’Oncle Soul got it started with a crisp six-song set backed by the Bay Area band the Monophonics, a collaboration that began with Ben’s latest album, A Coupe de Reves. "You Got My Back," from that album, and a cover of the Supremes' "My World Is Empty Without You," over a reggae-inflected rhythm, were stand-outs.
[caption id="attachment_26583" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
Les Nubians, Célia Faussart, right, and Hélène. Photo by William Farrington[/caption]
The Cameroonian/French sister-duet of Les Nubians followed, captivating the audience with their soaring vocal interplay and rhythmically fluid movement, anchored by a solid stream of funky beats from Shaun Kelly, drums; Fred Eugene Doumbe, bass; John Roggie, keyboards; Masaharu Shimizu, guitar; and Queen Aaminah, backing vocals.
[caption id="attachment_26586" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
Manu Dibango on soprano sax with special guest vocalist Salle Jean. Photo by William Farrington[/caption]
The Soul Makossa Gang had already energized the crowd with a churning makossa rhythm that was completed when Manu Dibango stepped onto the Apollo stage for the first time since 1973, the constantly shifting tempos and rhythms complementing his playing. Then special guest Salle Jean took the music back to its Cameroonian roots. Jean, a renowned performer in the ambass-bey folk tradition, sang two songs and added a bit of folk dancing to the delight of the audience.
[caption id="attachment_26588" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
(L-R) Salle Jean, Isabel Gonzalez, Manu Dibango and Valerie Belinga acknowledge the audience after they performed at the Apollo Theater in Harlem for the first time since 1973 at "Je Suis Soul! A Salute to African Soul and Jazz." Photo by William Farrington[/caption]
The three-hour show concluded with a Soul Makossa jam session that included all of the artists on the bill, joined by Kaissa, who once sang backup in his band. The Soul Makossa Gang included Raymond Doumbe, bass; Jacques Conti-Bilong, drums; Guy Nwogang, percussion; Patrick Marie-Magdelaine, guitar; Julien Agazar, keyboard; Valerie Belinga and Isabel Gonzalez, vocals.
[caption id="attachment_26581" align="aligncenter" width="640"]
Ben L'Oncle Soul backed by San Francisco 's Monophonics, at the Apollo Theater's "Je Suis Soul" concert, Sat., Dec. 5, 2015. Photo by William Farrington[/caption]
You may also enjoy the "Best of The Beat on Afropop" feature on Manu Dibango.