Solorazaf
Encyclopedia
Solo Razafindrakoto known as Solorazaf is a French-Malagasy guitarist
born in Montpellier
in 1956. His roots are both situated in France
and in Madagascar
. His musical style is very much influenced by these two different cultures and he then created a very personal musical style based on Malagasy
traditional music.
At the age of seventeen, he was one of the first studio musicians in the capital city of Antananarivo
. At Discomad Studio, the only recording studio on the main Island.¹
In a country where the music is as rich and vital as its flora and fauna,Solorazaf plays guitar, bass and drums on countless recordings for different artists from the various regions across Madagascar. Self-taught, his studio experience and exposure to so many musicians and so much indigenous music not only gives him the tools to become one of the most important practitioners of this music, it allows him to create a wholly personal style steeped in the Malgache tradition.
Solo was 22 when, in 1978, he chose to settle in France where he has since had a double career as a musician and producer. He first accompanied Graeme Allwright until 1983, then Dizzy Gillespie
and Miriam Makeba
, created the group Namana (short-lived, but which produced an album), and handled the arrangements and artistic direction of the most recent albums of the author of "Jour de clarté." All this while travelling the world with his own compositions (in Boston, in the US, he was called the "revelation" of the L'Air du temps festival in 1995 and 1996).
In 1979, he moved to Paris and quickly established himself as an in-demand accompanist and session player contributing to the music of many great French recording artists in various styles of pop and world music. ¹
From 1998, Solorazaf plays with the quartet “Worlds of Guitar”. The group includes guitar masters Fareed Haque
, Romero Lubambo
and Aquiles Baez. During this busy period, however, Solorazaf was also the lead guitarist for the legendary Miriam Makeba. Solorazaf travels the globe touring for 15 years with Makeba. The world tours include among others “Live the future” with Makeba and Dizzy Gillespie, “The Three Divas Tour” with Miriam Makeba, Nina Simone and Odetta as well as the “The USA Tour:Tour of Hope” with Hugh Masekela & Miriam Makeba.
In 2001, Solorazaf begins touring his “Solo Guitar Performance”. He plays Europe, the USA and Canada. His solo concerts are widely acclaimed in the USA and Europe and according to a lot of world guitar press magazines,he establishes himself as one of the most innovative solo guitar player’s on the World scene.
He appears every year at the concert Autour de la Guitare created by Jean-Félix Lalanne in 2001.
His solo concerts are widely acclaimed in the USA and Europe and he establishes himself as one of the most innovative solo guitar player’s on the world scene.
Solorazaf’s songs are sung in his native tongue Malagassy, or French, sometimes a combination of the two, at times with a bit of English thrown in.²
Solorazaf also found time to create a music school called “Guitares Alliées”, (“Allied Guitars”). The school is created in partnership with The Alliance Francaise in the city of Antsirabe (south of Tananarive). The school is a place of theory and practice where the students improve their skills through a variety of instruction and documentation as well as through the help of audio-visual tools that Solorazaf has collected from guitarists-friends throughout the world.
with seven strings, composed of six strings on which is added a seventh one, a bass E string, in order to play the bass lines, because as I former bass player this is essential to me. And I also like my 'little' guitar, tuned in C, a very inspiring open tuning which allows me to play Malgasy music.
These instruments have been built two luthier
s called A. and D. Hamel. I met them in Montreal
for I used to go there very often. One day, I found a Semi-acoustic guitar
. They make improved travel guitar or Silent guitar
, a little bit like the gibsons. They are adapted to my way of playing. Thanks to these guitars I was able to get back the sound of Malagasy
instruments like for example a short lute
.
And I play another guitar called 'bigbee', which I made myself, tuned with one half in C, and another half in G and which sounds nicely with my open tuning.
I also use the footoy which is a kind of drums played with the feet. I invented it in order to get a good stability.
When I came back to Paris, I called on my friend Christophe, a guitarsit, and I turned them into Electric acoustic guitar
because at first they already had a nice sound. These instruments really shows my soul.
But I have had common guitars like Stratocasters or Gibson
s."³
, Solorazaf illuminates the stage by his presence and by the sounds he produces with his mouth, his feet and even his nostrils. And of course with his guitar with which he is a virtuoso. His presence is a delight.⁵
The Paris Magazine Sortie describes Solorazaf’s voice as “sweet as a dream”.
“Solo guitar illuminated by cascading traditional Malgache rhythms”. -- Télérama (Paris, France)
“Highly recommended” -- New York Times (USA)
“An musical inventor with the Malgache traditions at its foundation.” -- International guitar Festival of Rueil Malmaison - France
“One of the greatest performers I’ve ever seen on any string instrument anywhere… Phenomenal! -- Elombe Brath (Producer/Mediahost/African affairs consultant)
“Solorazaf is simply superbe and magnificent” -Afropop – New York City (USA)
“A master of the 12/8 Salegy rhythm” -- Acoustic Guitar Magazine.
Awarded a "Choc" by Le Monde de la Musique. Awarded three stars by Le Monde de la Musique.
music.
He also creates and co-produces: “Bilo” Malagasy
connection with E.Manana, Nawal, Justin Vali.
( It is a solo voyage of lyrical guitar and voice: melodies and modulations tangled with propulsive, throbbing rhythms accompanied by a simple shaker or foot percussion.)
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
born in Montpellier
Montpellier
-Neighbourhoods:Since 2001, Montpellier has been divided into seven official neighbourhoods, themselves divided into sub-neighbourhoods. Each of them possesses a neighbourhood council....
in 1956. His roots are both situated 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...
and in Madagascar
Madagascar
The Republic of Madagascar is an island country located in the Indian Ocean off the southeastern coast of Africa...
. His musical style is very much influenced by these two different cultures and he then created a very personal musical style based on Malagasy
Malagasy people
The Malagasy ethnic group forms nearly the entire population of Madagascar. They are divided into two subgroups: the "Highlander" Merina, Sihanaka and Betsileo of the central plateau around Antananarivo, Alaotra and Fianarantsoa, and the côtiers elsewhere in the country. This division has its...
traditional music.
Biography
Solorazaf was born in Montpellier of Madagascan parents, but left for the Big Island when he was six months old. Although he visited France regularly, he grew up in Madagsacar, in the village of his grandparents, in contact with the traditional music of the Highlands. He began playing the guitar at 12, and turned professional at 17, playing with rock groups which were already including local instruments.At the age of seventeen, he was one of the first studio musicians in the capital city of Antananarivo
Antananarivo
Antananarivo , formerly Tananarive , is the capital and largest city in Madagascar. It is also known by its French colonial shorthand form Tana....
. At Discomad Studio, the only recording studio on the main Island.¹
In a country where the music is as rich and vital as its flora and fauna,Solorazaf plays guitar, bass and drums on countless recordings for different artists from the various regions across Madagascar. Self-taught, his studio experience and exposure to so many musicians and so much indigenous music not only gives him the tools to become one of the most important practitioners of this music, it allows him to create a wholly personal style steeped in the Malgache tradition.
Solo was 22 when, in 1978, he chose to settle in France where he has since had a double career as a musician and producer. He first accompanied Graeme Allwright until 1983, then Dizzy Gillespie
Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed "the sound of surprise".Together with Charlie Parker, he was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz...
and Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba
Miriam Makeba , nicknamed Mama Africa, was a Grammy Award winning South African singer and civil rights activist....
, created the group Namana (short-lived, but which produced an album), and handled the arrangements and artistic direction of the most recent albums of the author of "Jour de clarté." All this while travelling the world with his own compositions (in Boston, in the US, he was called the "revelation" of the L'Air du temps festival in 1995 and 1996).
In 1979, he moved to Paris and quickly established himself as an in-demand accompanist and session player contributing to the music of many great French recording artists in various styles of pop and world music. ¹
From 1998, Solorazaf plays with the quartet “Worlds of Guitar”. The group includes guitar masters Fareed Haque
Fareed Haque
Fareed Haque is a fusion guitar virtuoso of Pakistani and Chilean descent.Raised in Chicago, he studied at North Texas State University and Northwestern University....
, Romero Lubambo
Romero Lubambo
Romero Lubambo is a Brazilian jazz guitar player.Romero Lubambo started learning classic piano at a very early age...
and Aquiles Baez. During this busy period, however, Solorazaf was also the lead guitarist for the legendary Miriam Makeba. Solorazaf travels the globe touring for 15 years with Makeba. The world tours include among others “Live the future” with Makeba and Dizzy Gillespie, “The Three Divas Tour” with Miriam Makeba, Nina Simone and Odetta as well as the “The USA Tour:Tour of Hope” with Hugh Masekela & Miriam Makeba.
In 2001, Solorazaf begins touring his “Solo Guitar Performance”. He plays Europe, the USA and Canada. His solo concerts are widely acclaimed in the USA and Europe and according to a lot of world guitar press magazines,he establishes himself as one of the most innovative solo guitar player’s on the World scene.
He appears every year at the concert Autour de la Guitare created by Jean-Félix Lalanne in 2001.
His solo concerts are widely acclaimed in the USA and Europe and he establishes himself as one of the most innovative solo guitar player’s on the world scene.
Solorazaf’s songs are sung in his native tongue Malagassy, or French, sometimes a combination of the two, at times with a bit of English thrown in.²
Solorazaf also found time to create a music school called “Guitares Alliées”, (“Allied Guitars”). The school is created in partnership with The Alliance Francaise in the city of Antsirabe (south of Tananarive). The school is a place of theory and practice where the students improve their skills through a variety of instruction and documentation as well as through the help of audio-visual tools that Solorazaf has collected from guitarists-friends throughout the world.
His guitars
"My favourite instruments are a walnut guitarGuitar
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...
with seven strings, composed of six strings on which is added a seventh one, a bass E string, in order to play the bass lines, because as I former bass player this is essential to me. And I also like my 'little' guitar, tuned in C, a very inspiring open tuning which allows me to play Malgasy music.
These instruments have been built two luthier
Luthier
A luthier is someone who makes or repairs lutes and other string instruments. In the United States, the term is used interchangeably with a term for the specialty of each maker, such as violinmaker, guitar maker, lute maker, etc...
s called A. and D. Hamel. I met them in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
for I used to go there very often. One day, I found a Semi-acoustic guitar
Semi-acoustic guitar
A semi-acoustic guitar or hollow-body electric is a type of electric guitar with both a sound box and one or more electric pickups. This is not the same as an electric acoustic guitar, which is an acoustic guitar with the addition of pickups or other means of amplification, either added by the...
. They make improved travel guitar or Silent guitar
Silent guitar
A silent guitar is a type of guitar with a solid or chambered body that converts the vibration of the strings into electric current using a piezoelectric pickup. The body of the guitar does not amplify the vibration of the strings into audible sound...
, a little bit like the gibsons. They are adapted to my way of playing. Thanks to these guitars I was able to get back the sound of Malagasy
Malagasy people
The Malagasy ethnic group forms nearly the entire population of Madagascar. They are divided into two subgroups: the "Highlander" Merina, Sihanaka and Betsileo of the central plateau around Antananarivo, Alaotra and Fianarantsoa, and the côtiers elsewhere in the country. This division has its...
instruments like for example a short lute
Lute
Lute can refer generally to any plucked string instrument with a neck and a deep round back, or more specifically to an instrument from the family of European lutes....
.
And I play another guitar called 'bigbee', which I made myself, tuned with one half in C, and another half in G and which sounds nicely with my open tuning.
I also use the footoy which is a kind of drums played with the feet. I invented it in order to get a good stability.
When I came back to Paris, I called on my friend Christophe, a guitarsit, and I turned them into Electric acoustic guitar
Electric acoustic guitar
An Acoustic-electric guitar is an acoustic guitar fitted with pickups, a microphone or transducers. In acoustic-electric guitars, the transducers and microphones are always used because conventional pickups are not capable of picking up vibrations of non-magnetic materials...
because at first they already had a nice sound. These instruments really shows my soul.
But I have had common guitars like Stratocasters or Gibson
Gibson Guitar Corporation
The Gibson Guitar Corporation, formerly of Kalamazoo, Michigan and currently of Nashville, Tennessee, manufactures guitars and other instruments which sell under a variety of brand names...
s."³
Critics
One-man bandOne-man band
A one-man band is a musician who plays a number of musical instruments simultaneously using their hands, feet, limbs, and various mechanical contraptions. The simplest type of "one-man band" — a singer accompanying themselves on acoustic guitar and harmonica mounted in a metal "harp rack" below the...
, Solorazaf illuminates the stage by his presence and by the sounds he produces with his mouth, his feet and even his nostrils. And of course with his guitar with which he is a virtuoso. His presence is a delight.⁵
The Paris Magazine Sortie describes Solorazaf’s voice as “sweet as a dream”.
“Solo guitar illuminated by cascading traditional Malgache rhythms”. -- Télérama (Paris, France)
“Highly recommended” -- New York Times (USA)
“An musical inventor with the Malgache traditions at its foundation.” -- International guitar Festival of Rueil Malmaison - France
“One of the greatest performers I’ve ever seen on any string instrument anywhere… Phenomenal! -- Elombe Brath (Producer/Mediahost/African affairs consultant)
“Solorazaf is simply superbe and magnificent” -Afropop – New York City (USA)
“A master of the 12/8 Salegy rhythm” -- Acoustic Guitar Magazine.
Awarded a "Choc" by Le Monde de la Musique. Awarded three stars by Le Monde de la Musique.
Discography
Parallel to his own personal performance projects, Solorazaf also produced several albums considered by the specialized press as essential to MalagasyMalagasy people
The Malagasy ethnic group forms nearly the entire population of Madagascar. They are divided into two subgroups: the "Highlander" Merina, Sihanaka and Betsileo of the central plateau around Antananarivo, Alaotra and Fianarantsoa, and the côtiers elsewhere in the country. This division has its...
music.
- Fruits du Voyages
- Souffles de Vie Rakoto Frah.
- Razilinah by Erick Manana.
- Toamasina sérénades Daniel Tombo
He also creates and co-produces: “Bilo” Malagasy
Malagasy people
The Malagasy ethnic group forms nearly the entire population of Madagascar. They are divided into two subgroups: the "Highlander" Merina, Sihanaka and Betsileo of the central plateau around Antananarivo, Alaotra and Fianarantsoa, and the côtiers elsewhere in the country. This division has its...
connection with E.Manana, Nawal, Justin Vali.
- 1993 Guitare à balanciers. (a concept which pulls together the musics of Madagascar, folk blues and French chanson).
- 1999 9 pieces of bizarre.
( It is a solo voyage of lyrical guitar and voice: melodies and modulations tangled with propulsive, throbbing rhythms accompanied by a simple shaker or foot percussion.)
- 1999 3 rays of Rain.( This music shows off his ever-evolving style and originality).
- 1992 Malgache Connexion.(auvidis)
- 1996 Fruits du voyage.(mélodie)
- 1997 The moon and the banana tree.
- 2006 DVD Live "Rendez Vous A Melting Point"