SOLORAZAF
Between North and South of the World
Solorazafindrakoto, this is his real name, is not only the guitarist who played with Miriam Makeba, accompanied by Manudibango and Dizzie Gillespie, but he is also an excellent soloist, a “one-man-band” of exceptional talent.
He is a connoisseur of the possibilities of his instrument, really fast in the passages, very good in the melodic line as well as in the rhythmic support, and he masters the use of its voice. His music is rich in very different sound influences, from Asia to black Africa, from Portugal to France, with pieces full of rhythm changes and lush in their structure – often enriched by jazz harmonies.
Born in Montpellier in France, he spent his youth in Madagascar. There, at the age of 17, he was already known as one of the greatest and most promising musical performers. His return to Paris coincides with the beginning of important collaborations that will lead him to become the lead guitarist of Miriam Makeba with whom he manages to propose himself globally, also participating as a soloist in the most important international festivals.
Solorazaf’s ability to combine apparently so distant cultures such as Malagasy and oriental influences, typical of the Indian ocean, with the most classic jazz and folk melodic lines, has made this multifaceted artist the fulcrum of a completely original engaging sound experience.
PRESS REVIEW
“Solorazaf creates a new musical world, based on typical Malagasy and Indian Ocean rhythms, enriched by his taste for the typical harmonies of jazz and folk.”
LE PARISIEN
“Solo’s guitar lights up with the rhythms of the Malagasy tradition”
TELERAMA, ELIANE AZOULAY
“… a new interpretation of the guitar.”
IAN ANDERSON, FOLK ROOTS UK
“… an incredible sound mix”
GUITARIST MAG FR
“…a master of 12”/8 salegy rhythm”
ACOUSTIC GUITAR, USA
“Solorazaf plays like a group.”
GIORNALE DI SICILIA
DISCOGRAPHY
- 1992 – Malgache Connexion (Auvidis)
- 1993 – Guitare à balanciers
- 1996 – Fruits du voyage (Mélodie)
- 1997 – The moon and the banana tree (Shanahie USA)
- 1999 – Nine pieces of bizarre (Mélodie)
- 1999 – Trois rayons de pluie (Mélodie)
- 2006 – Nuovo DVD dal vivo “RENDEZ VOUS À MELTING POT”
THE SHOW
“The songs I play are personal compositions – some only instrumental, others sung – which arise from various elements among which the typical rhythms of Madagascar and the Indian Ocean, folk influences and jazz harmonies, all amalgamated by the finger-picking technique.
My favourite instruments are:
- a “6 + 1” guitar, a six-string guitar with an additional low string, tuned an octave below in order to make the accompaniment fuller.
- the second is a guitar tuned in C, an open tuning very useful for playing Malagasy harmonies.
- another little guitar, the “Big Bee”, tuned half in C and half in G.
They are instruments made by the Hame luthiers of Montreal.
I also use the “Footoy”, a pedal percussion I personally made, which serves to obtain a more involving rhythmic base.
As for the voice, I test everything my uvula allows me to do, always with the intention of involving you in a journey that can take your emotions from Paris to Madagascar, passing through the rest of Europe and North America.”.