Askanyi’s debut album was nominated for the “Octaves de la Musique 2016” and nominated at SIMA (International Forum of African Music) in 2015.
ASKANYI is essentially and by means of compositions a fusion between a Western string quartet and African vocal music. A mix of artists with African (Congo-Brazzaville, Burundi and Senegal) and Western origins has sought to create a space in which both cultural dimensions can come together. This process results in a unique kind of music, which echoes today’s multicultural environment.
What’s more, five composers have rearranged in collaboration with the singers a selection of African vocal compositions at the heart of which lie the philosophical and spiritual questions to which we all seek answers.
This is what ASKANYI, meaning the people in the Wolof language (Senegal), is trying to convey.
ASKANYI’s energy is both fierce and serene, inviting listeners to open themselves to new experiences and to look beyond themselves.
Participating Artists
Vocals
Jupiter Diop (Senegal), Marie-Ange Teuwen (Burundi), Fredy Massamba (Congo Brazzaville), Nicole Bongo Letuppe (Congo).
String quartet
Esther Lambrechts (1st violin), Sebastien Paz Ceroni (2nd violin), Marijn Thissen (viola), Robrecht Kessels (cello)
Buy/Stream
Credits
Photos: Lara Herbinia
Illustrations: Jan-Sebastiaan Degeyter