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| MAKOSSA!. Afro pop-Afro beat-African Music In New York At the crossroads of Benin's traditional village rhythms, Caribbean styles and jazz, Jomion & The Uklos make festive, colorful music. These four blood-brothers from the coastal West African city of Cotonou amaze audiences at home and abroad with their furious rhythms and sweet, mystical harmonies. These excellent musicians joyfully flirt with reggae, salsa and jazz, building a vibrant, relaxed dance music. Their voices blend in melodious harmony, delivering messages of hope, faith and traditional wisdom. Their music is simultaneously complex, profound and simple. Their songs connect to the depths of human experience, while lightening the heart with joy. Their mastery of Western music harmony and traditional African rhythms comes from their church training: At their family church in Cotonou, their father is the pastor and the eldest brother Samuel "Jomion" Gnonlonfoun is choirmaster. Hallelujah! History Samuel "Jomion" Gnonlonfoun is a multi-instrumentalist with a long history in traditional/jazz fusion music in Benin. He plays trumpet, drum-set, keyboards and percussion and composes and arrangers for The Uklos. Born in Cotonou, he started his career as an instrumentalist at age 17. He worked and collaborated with many Beninese groups, including Black Santiago, Sagbohan Danialou, Lionel Loueke and Angelique Kidjo. In 1992, with his brothers and friends, Jomion founded the world-renowned Gangbe Brass Band. This group combined horns and percussion to rework the traditional rhythms of Benin with a unique jazz touch that moved audiences all over the world. The group toured incessantly, performing in prestigious concert halls and festivals such as WOMAD in London, Carnegie Hall in New York, and Couleur Cafe in Brussels, Belgium. In 2007, Samuel Gnonlonfoun took on a new artistic name, "Jomion" and founded a new group with his brothers Mathieu, Jean and Jean-Eudes. Jomion & The Uklos integrate traditional instruments and songs from Benin's vodoun religion into a jazz-oriented music with catchy melodies that are easily accessible to a mass audience. They call their unique and multi-faceted fusion 'Whedo' which is 'rainbow' in the Fon language. In March, 2008, Jomion and his brothers participated in the Festival Afrika Fete in Benin. On May 23rd, 2008 they performed for the first time internationally, at the Saga Africa Festival of Hannut in Belgium. In 2009, the group did their first European tour, which included performances at the Alafia Festival in Hamburg; Pole-Pole in Gent; the prestigious Dranouter Festival, and the Afro-Latino Festival. Monday December 7th @ Richard Bona's Club Bonafide richard-bona.com write your comments about the article :: © 2015 Jazz News :: home page |