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Guitarist, singer, composer and arranger, Amen Viana knows how to create stunning sound universes, while drawing from the roots of African music. Originally from Togo, he quickly rose through the ranks of the West African music scene, before crossing the Mediterranean to settle in France. His virtuosity on the guitar is reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix, his rock energy that of Living Color, and he quickly carved out a reputation in many international events where he was invited to play alongside artists such as Black-Eyed Peas, Angélique Kidjo. , Indila, Cheick Tidiane Seck, Tony Allen. Amen Viana plays all over the world, stages in Japan with King Mensah, at the Montreal Jazz Festival with Lisa Simone, through the Taragalte Festival in the middle of the Sahara with Aziz Sahmaoui and University of Gnawa. In addition to the hundreds of albums on which he has collaborated with other artists, Amen Viana has composed and recorded five albums: Gamessou (2007), Togo to Go (2010), Funkabelik (2012), Pearls and Gold (2012) and Electric Togoland (2017). A documentary tells the story of the recording of the Electric Togoland album, which brings together musicians from Africa and Europe in a musical alchemy transforming traditional Togolese melodies into an electric rock fusion soundtrack. Amen Viana pays a musical tribute to Togo on the model of Ry Cooder’s Buena Vista Social Club. The album The Afrocanalyst is a new step in the artist’s career. Recorded during his travels as a musician, it corresponds to a reflection on his career and brings together guests such as Keziah Jones and Akua Naru.

Pubblicato da Music Alive