Dobet Gnahoré
Dobet Gnahoré, a singer, dancer and percussionist from the Ivory Coast, inherited the force of the “Bété“ tradition from her father, Boni Gnahoré, a master percussionist who plays with the Abidjan-based Ki-Yi Mbock Company, directed by Werewere Liking.
It was within this Ivory Coast-based company that Dobet met French guitarist Colin Laroche de Féline, who went there to immerse himself in African melodies and rhythms, after being introduced to them by Toroma Sika in France.
Having spent some time in the well-known Tché Tché dance company, Dobet decided with Colin (in 1999) to form a twosome, Ano Neko, which means “Let’s create together“ in Bété language. The twosome toured widely in France (1999-2000) where they came to live temporarily following the instability that unfortunately struck the Ivory Coast. They also worked together on different projects (the creation with Ba Cissoko of “Le Cabaret Nomade“ and “L’Entre Deux Monde“).
When they returned to Abidjan in 2001, they took part in MASA Off (festival) where they were the centre of attention and, while they were there, they recorded eight songs under the supervision of the late Marcellin Yacé, who was killed during the first day of rioting in the autumn of 2002. They then decided to come back to France, at least until peace and stability reigned in their beautiful country once again.
In 2003, their artistic project refocused on Dobet Gnahoré and expanded when a backup vocalist and a percussionist joined them. This was when Contre Jour, which had taken Dobet’s destiny in hand, produced her first album entitled “Ano Neko“, making the link with Dobet and Colin’s story. This CD comprises songs recorded in Abidjan and others recorded in Belgium during the summer of 2003.
2 other albums have been released “Na Afriki” (2006) & “Djekpa La You” (2009) ,between the concerts given all over the world (more than 600 concerts since the begin of her international carreer)
Dobet took part as well at other musical projects like “Acoustic Africa “ with Habib Koite & Vusi Mahlasela , with tours in Europe and Usa in 2006 & 2007), Aly Keita & Friends (balafon master who does propose a music mixing the African tradition and some jazz influences), “Mama Africa” a tribute to “Miriam Makeba” with Angelique Khidjo in 2010. In 2012, she works on the project Acoustic Africa Afropean Women with Manu Galllo, Kareyce Fotso & Leni Stern. Tour’s period are already planned in 2012 & 2013 for this new project.. before the next CD of Dobet.
Dobet sings in a range of African languages including Bété, Fon, Baoule, Lingala, Malinke, Mina or Bambara, thereby reproducing the Pan-African tradition of the Ki Yi Mbock group.
On stage, her voice, her charisma and her huge presence, the result of several years theatrical and choreographic work, has great audience appeal.
