Oriazul

A few days ago we had a professional ensemble for Senegal come to ICS. I arranged a set of master classes for the kids on instrumental improv and choral improv. It was a great experience for the kids. They had an opportunity to play with the ensemble and improv with them. They following day we had an assembly for the group and it was fantastic. We had student back up singers, african drummers and folks in the HS band play with them during the assembly.

Now most of you know that I have no problem with making a fool of myself in front of my kids if it will help them be more confident or whatever. During the HS band master class on Thursday I noticed that 2 of my clarinet players were a little nervous playin with the group. So what did I do, got my clarinet out and played with them. The members of the group were great with students giving everyone an opportunity to play a solo. When friday came around we were to play with oriazul at the assembly. What were the words that came out of my clarinet players mouths, "I'm scared" Now I was just playing the clarinet for my students so they feel more confident. However, the bassist from oriazul comes up to me during the tune and signals me to do a solo. I'm like, dude, I suck!. I also knew that if I did not my clarinets students would be to scared to get up and solo as well. So I did. Actually I didn't do to bad. I was pretty proud of myself. Then it was Ruth's turn, she turned to me and said I don't want to. I turned to her and said yes you can. I just got up there and I am horrible on clarinet. You are a phenominal player so you will sound great. She Got up there and did her solo.

That was it...It wasn't the fact that we were all up there playing together, it wasn't the fact that Orizul asked us to play. It was the gap that was bridged with many of my students over the fear of playing in front of people and letting go of all inhibitions. It was a great experience for everyone.



Here is a little background information on the group:
ORIAZUL (Gold & Blue) the colours of the Cape-Verde Islands, to say the words and the hearth feelings and the concerns of our times. ORIAZUL is the kind of group that leaves its mark on the generations, contributes to their identity and moulds their passion for music of this genre. Established in Dakar, Capital of Senegal, ORIAZUL’s main objective is to entertain, modernize and eternalize the brand of the creoule culture of Cape Verde, such as “Coladera”, “Morna” or “Cola San Jon”, thanks to a new wave of musicians thus, Daniel Gomes (Lead Vocalist, Keyboard and founder of ORIAZUL), Evelyne Dacruz (Vocalist ), Claire Mbeng (Vocalist ), Tapha Thiam (Keyboard - Senegalese), Florent Loso (Bass Guitar) , Baye Diop (Solo Guitar), Satrus Sambou (Keyboard)


While forming a group of musicians at its own style, Daniel Gomes perceived strong and interesting perspectives that had escaped through other bands previously formed that Daniel himself was part of. Fixed on the word, Daniel baptized the group of “HORIZONTE”. It is under this name that the band becomes known at the music festival and at the San Jon 1996. The first couple of performances by the band were attended by over 10,000 Spectators.
In the mean time, a month later, the group finds that onother band called “Horizonte” existed already as indicated by a CD originating in France. The challenge was there to find a name with great meaning, thus “ORIAZUL” that deciphered as OR-I-AZUL (Gold & Blue), the colours of Cape-Verde: Sun and Sea. The Senegalese Cape-Verdians would re-discover this young band in 2 major events: at the dancing dinner of the anniversaries of the independence of Senegal and Cape-Verde. These performances allowed ORIAZUL to the public the professional and artistic maturity of the musicians.


After July 1997 the game was on ORIAZUL’s side, by the publication of their first album « Djobé pa mi »; The Senegalese Cape-Verdians had all reasons to feel proud of ORIAZUL for this production which enriched the Cape-Verdian musical repertoire initiated at the beginning of that decade, participating this way in the spirit of creativity that entertains the Diaspora.