Pierre Akendengué
Encyclopedia
Pierre-Claver Akendengué (born April 25, 1943) is a musician
and composer
of Gabon
. In 1997, he received his country's "Prix d'excellence" at the Africa Music awards in Libreville, honoring his body of work. He also serves as a cultural advisor for the government of Gabon.
Born on the island of Awuta, which is located just off the coast from Port-Gentil
, Akendengué went to school in Port-Gentil, then studied psychology
at the University of Caen in France
during the 1960s. While in France, he met singer Mireille
, who encouraged his musical interests.
In 1974, Akendengué recorded his first album, Nandipo, consisted of songs of his own composition, sung in French and Nkomi, accompanied by guitar
, women choir, bass and the percussion of Nana Vasconcelos
. He later set to music poems by P. E. Mondjegou, such as "Le Chant du Coupeur d'Okoumé" ("The Song of the Okoumé Cutter"). Returning to Gabon, he studied solfeggio and plainchant at a Catholic college, and presented spectacles showcasing traditional Gabonese forms in a concert setting.
In 1986, he received a doctorate from the University of Paris
for his study of religion and education among the Nkomi.
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
of Gabon
Gabon
Gabon , officially the Gabonese Republic is a state in west central Africa sharing borders with Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, and with the Republic of the Congo curving around the east and south. The Gulf of Guinea, an arm of the Atlantic Ocean is to the west...
. In 1997, he received his country's "Prix d'excellence" at the Africa Music awards in Libreville, honoring his body of work. He also serves as a cultural advisor for the government of Gabon.
Born on the island of Awuta, which is located just off the coast from Port-Gentil
Port-Gentil
Port-Gentil or Mandji is the second-largest city of Gabon and a leading seaport. It is the center of Gabon's petroleum and timber industries. Although it lies inshore, the nearby mainland is a remote forest area and it is not connected by road to the rest of the nation...
, Akendengué went to school in Port-Gentil, then studied psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
at the University of Caen in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
during the 1960s. While in France, he met singer Mireille
Mireille
Mireille is a French given name, derived from the Provençal Occitan name Mirèio . It could be related with the Occitan verb mirar "to admire" or with the Occitan surnames Miriam "Myriam", Maria "Mary".-A given name:* Mireille Darc , a French actress* Mireille Gingras , Canadian-American...
, who encouraged his musical interests.
In 1974, Akendengué recorded his first album, Nandipo, consisted of songs of his own composition, sung in French and Nkomi, accompanied by guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, women choir, bass and the percussion of Nana Vasconcelos
Naná Vasconcelos
Naná Vasconcelos is a Brazilian Latin jazz percussionist, vocalist and berimbau player, most notable for his works with Pat Metheny, Don Cherry, Egberto Gismonti, and Gato Barbieri....
. He later set to music poems by P. E. Mondjegou, such as "Le Chant du Coupeur d'Okoumé" ("The Song of the Okoumé Cutter"). Returning to Gabon, he studied solfeggio and plainchant at a Catholic college, and presented spectacles showcasing traditional Gabonese forms in a concert setting.
In 1986, he received a doctorate from the University of Paris
University of Paris
The University of Paris was a university located in Paris, France and one of the earliest to be established in Europe. It was founded in the mid 12th century, and officially recognized as a university probably between 1160 and 1250...
for his study of religion and education among the Nkomi.
Discography
- 2009 La Verité d'Afrique (album)
- 2005 Gorée (album)
- 2004 Ekunda-Sah (album)
- 2000 Obakadences (album)
- 1996 Carrefour Rio (album)
- 1995 Maladadite (album)
- 1993 Lambarena (album)
- 1990 Silence (album)
- 1988 Espoir à Soweto (album)
- 1986 Piroguier (album)
- 1986 Sarraouinia (album)
- 1984 Réveil de l'Afrique (album)
- 1983 Mando (album)
- 1982 Awana W'Afrika (album)
- 1980 Mengo (album)
- 1979 Owende (album)
- 1978 Eseringuila (album)
- 1976 Africa Obota (album)
- 1974 Nandipo (album)
External links
- "CD of the Week: Pierre Akendengué - Ekunda-Sah!", RFI Music, March 25, 2005. Accessed January 24, 2006
- Pierre Akendengue - Gorée Pierre Akendengué by the authors of Wiki Musique - GNU Free Documentation License.