Press Release Tuesday July 3, 2007
Afro-Jazz singer and songwriter
Joachim Joe Amouzou CD Release Concert
Saturday August 25th 2007 7:30pm
Biography:
Togolese born singer and songwriter Joachim Joe Amouzou brings his soul-infused African vibes to the First Christian Reformed Church on Saturday August 25th 2007. This concert celebrates the release of Joe's latest album 'Mist of Charms,' as well as the launch of his solo career in Canada. This will be an exceptional event showcasing an exciting amalgamation of Afro-Jazz, Funk, Reggae, Latin and Soul music, as Joe Amouzou will be accompanied by his eight-piece band The Safari League. Joining Joe Amouzou on the bill will be the insightful lyricist rapper Ndidi Cascade alongside her powerful soul singing partner Deanna, as well as the expressive Gospel and Bluesy Pop singer/songwriter Richard DeChris from Virginia U.S.A. This event also features DJ's Earl the Pearl and DJ Emmanuel spinning the best of African, reggae and hip hop. Following the concert, a food and beverage reception will be held.
Joe Amouzou's latest album 'Mist of Charms' weaves together traditional African and World music with contemporary styles such as Soul and R&B. To Joe, the album is the realization of a long standing dream which in turn reflects his African roots. In creating this album, he moves between various African styles; the song "Djonkey" is a powerfully energetic "Gazo" rhythm from Togo West Africa; "Sentiment" is what he calls his "Togo Blues;" and "Koko Song" is a beat-driven West African Highlife rhythm similar to the Caribbean "Soca." Reflecting the musical African Diaspora, Joe then moves into a reggae vibe with the song "Guilty" (which has also been made into a music video) and an Old School/R&B flavoured track, "Nature of The Beast." It is obvious that Joe Amouzou appreciates world music culture, as the sounds of the Tabla, Doom-Doom and traditional African Bell can also be heard. The album 'Mist of Charms' features world-class musicians, one being Denis Ziebart on Hammond Organ, Triton Synth & Steinway Grand.
Joe Amouzou from Togo, West Africa, was born into a very musical family. His father, Louis, was a renowned folk singer, whose songs remain part of the cultural fabric of the country. His mother was an accomplished soprano in a well-known local choir. Joe's career in music began in his teens as a radio, television and concert singer and musician.
Since immigrating to Canada in the early 1980s, Joachim continued to entertain in a wide variety of venues, singing and playing guitar, keyboard and percussion instruments. His repertoire includes Caribbean, African, Reggae, and French music, which he performs solo or with groups. Joe is a prolific song writer, with lyrics written in French, English Mina and Ewe languages.
The new millennium found Joe writing songs and making his first CD, 'Singing for Love', released in 2004 and which spanned rhythm and blues, jazz, African folk, and reggae. His debut album expressed political awareness and the human experience…. particularly love. Upon release of his album, Joe was interviewed by CBC and a song, 'Help Me Love You' was selected for the movie documentary, 'Territoire De L'Autre', which was broadcast in May 2004.
While promoting his first CD, Joe traveled to Europe and Africa and did radio and TV shows on both continents with notable music and media personalities, including Manu Dibango. He then traveled to Taiwan and performed in three major concerts with the band Jazz Afrique. Upon returning to Canada, Joachim continued to perform, notably at a fundraiser for Darfur and Culturama at Vancouver's Vogue Theatre. He continued to write and record songs, mainly in the genre of Afro-Jazz fusion. The fruit of two years of steady effort and devotion is a second album, 'Mist of Charms', released in May 2007. The CD is high-energy and danceable… fraught with powerful and delicious rhythm. With the release of this album, Joe Amouzou has emerged as a leading African Canadian composer and performer.