Madjo delivers sensational performance

Feet were tapping and fingers were snapping as celebrated French singer, Madjo, performed to an adoring crowd at Ishyo Arts Centre in Kacyiru on Wednesday night.At first, only a few stood shyly to participate, but soon Madjo’s energetic fervor and raw enthusiasm had the entire auditorium on its feet and people were rushing to the aisles and the front of the stage to dance and participate in the performance. “We were surprised.” said vocalist and bassist, Joro Andriamiadanarivo, “People told us that the public, the audience in Rwanda, is very quiet.”Audience members actively participated not only through movement but also with emphatic cheering and singing. At one point between songs, fans chanted “Madjo. Madjo. Madjo.”30 year old, Madjo is not your typical professional artist. Her rise to recognition follows a different trajectory than most successful musicians, and the unique experimentation and seductive quality of her music attest to this nonconformity. She is less interested and inspired by French culture and artists than the more authentic sounds of underground jazz, soul, and pop from American and British bands which provide the many influences of her own sound. Madjo’s first album, “Trapdoor” (released in September 2010), conveys images and stories in a mix of daring confidence and intimate familiarity that resonates with the diversity of her own background. Raised by a Swiss father in Evian, Madjo is also of one quarter African heritage from her Senegalese grandfather. Her name, Madjo, is a composition of the names, Madeleine and Joseph, who were the two previous owners of the house where she grew up.Madjo is currently working on her second album, and has moved away from the city noise and bustle of Paris back to the serenity and natural surroundings of Evian.“It’s very wild with mountains and lakes,” said Madjo, about her home, “I need that. I need calm.”However, Wednesday’s night’s performance was anything but calm, and Madjo glowed with elation after the performance. “It was amazing. Absolutely amazing,” she said, again and again.Members of her band unanimously agreed. Andriamiadanarivo called the performance “one of the greatest concerts we have done in Africa,” while Pastor Claire, the vocalist and percussionist, stated simply, “It was magic.”Despite a slight glitch when Madjo’s guitar string snapped, the performers felt that the concert was extraordinary in the intimate rapport that they shared with the audience. Beat-boxer and vocalist, Julien Vasnier, specifically attributed the concert’s success to the presence and support of local Rwandese musicians.“I met many [Rwandese] artists the night before and we shared music for three or four hours,” said Vasnier, “All the artists we met were at the concert and gave us so many good vibrations.”Madjo and her band are certain that they will return to Rwanda. They shared their amazement of Rwanda’s progress in the aftermath of the country’s difficult history, and praised the hospitality, warmth, and beauty of Rwanda’s people. “We didn’t have a lot of time to see Rwanda, but from what we saw, it is paradise,” said Vasnier, “It’s hard to imagine that the genocide happened here. Everyone is smiling, the women are beautiful. Something has changed here.”Madjo is impressed by Rwanda’s artists and hopes to one day return to give voice lessons and offer support to local musicians.“I am not old enough to give advice,” laughed Madjo, “But I would tell the beautiful artists in Kigali to keep going, to continue to believe.”The Madjo concert was organized by the French Institute of Rwanda, which promotes French and francophone culture in Rwanda.

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Madjo delivers sensational performance