sakÉsho

Andy Narell - steel pans
Mario Canonge - piano
Michel Alibo - bass  
Jean Philippe Fanfant - drums 

With its roots deep in the Caribbean and with the heart of a jazz quartet, Sakésho brings sophistication, spontaneity, and soulful energy to the stage - four musicians who have come together as one voice.  All four members compose for the group.  Mario Canonge, Michel Alibo, and Jean Philippe Fanfant are masters of the traditional music of Martinique and Guadeloupe, add to that the spice of Andy Narell’s steel pans, and you have a unique blend of jazz and groove.   Like their name says – ‘It’s gonna be hot!’   

Sakésho recorded two albums for Heads Up International – the self titled ‘Sakésho – It’s Gonna Be Hot,’ and ‘We Want You to Say,’ and has played concerts and festivals throughout the USA, Europe, and the Caribbean. 

Since the release of his first solo album in 1979, New York born Andy Narell has pioneered the role of the steel pan in contemporary music.  In addition to his 20 albums as leader and co-leader, he has performed and recorded with dozens of amazing artists - Chucho Valdes, Bela Fleck, Marcus Miller, Maraca y Otro Vision, Flora Purim and Airto, Vince Mendoza, The WDR Big Band (Koln), Trinidad All Stars, and David Rudder, to name a few…  His playing is featured in film scores by James Horner, Maurice Jarre, Thomas Newman, and others, and his work as a jazz musician and steel band composer has been documented in the films ‘Andy and the Jumbies’ and ‘Calypso Fever.’

With a dozen solo albums and numerous collaborations, Martiniquan pianist Mario Canonge has established himself as an important pianist/composer, merging his French Caribbean roots with a virtuosic technique and deep understanding of jazz.  He has performed with his own trio all over the world, and has worked with artists such as Malavoi, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Carter Jefferson, Chico Freeman, Alain Jean-Marie, and CAB – his group with Cameroonian singer Blick Bassy and Brasilian percussionist Adriano Tenorio.   He was a founding member of the influential French band ‘Ultramarine.’ 

Michel Alibo, also from Martinique, has played on so many jazz, African, and Caribbean albums that he has attained legendary status among today’s bassists.  He can be heard on albums by Salif Keita, Angelique Kidjo, Les Nubians, Carlinhos Brown, Cheb Mami, Manu Dibango, Karim Ziad, Nguyen Le, and Meddy Gerville, among others.  He is a founding member of the group ‘Sixun,’ known for a dozen albums and concert tours all over the world. 

Jean Philippe Fanfant is one of the third generation of a family of great musicians from Guadeloupe.  He has recorded hundreds of albums with artists such as Kassav, Tania Maria, Ralph Thamar, Tania St. Val, Edith Lefel, Mario Canonge, Angelique Kidjo, Toure Kunda….  Along with his work on the French TV shows ‘Nouvelle Star’ and ‘The Voice’ he has toured and recorded with French pop stars such as Christophe Mae, Hubert-Felix Thiéfaine, Julien Clerc, Bernard Lavilliers….  Known for his mastery of Caribbean music, he is also a noted author of the book ‘Afro Caribbean Rhythms for the Drumset.’