Mario Canonge, a Martinique F.W.I. pianist. He began playing piano in his teens and now accompanies the Francois Church choir in Martinique. He begins studying music in Paris in 1979 and joins several bands. He began to play Latin music in the 80s, including Manigua. In the 1980s, he formed Ultramarine with Nguyen Lee, a jazz-rock-fusion group. He is influenced by Alain Jean-Marie and Marius Cultier, two of the most prominent Caribbean pianists. In 1991, he also formed Sakiyo along with Michel Alibo. He then began a solo career as Return aux sources ». This is a turning point for his career that leads him back to his roots, his music, mazurka, beguine, and jazz, as well as zouk. He performs with his band Kann’, which reaches a large audience from Metropolitan France and the F.W.I. The quartet has been performing overseas for many years as Mario continues to play with other artists (Kassav and Malavoi , recording in studios all styles Caribbean music for Beethova Obas and Michel Jonasz, Laurent Voulzy… and Sakesho was founded by Mario with Jean-Philippe Fanfant, Michel Alibo, and Andy Narell. They have released two CDs and a DVD, and participate in numerous festivals. He enjoys spending time with Etienne Mbappe and Gino Sitson. His African influences continue to expand his already broad horizon. His latest album Rhizome, which features a jazzy and yet Caribbean sound, was his inspiration in 2004. Jacques Schwarz-Bart and Antonio Sanchez join Roy Hargrove on this trip. A yearlong Pan American tour with Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez begins. Mario, Chander Sardjoe, and Linley Marthe release a “live” album in 2008. Rhizome is also on tour around the globe. Others projects are also in the works, such as a piano-double bass duo Mario and Michel Zenino or a piano-duo with Alain Jean-Marie. Mario is also an accompanist for singers such as Tangora and Viviane Ginape. Mario Canonge’s 2011 jazz album “mitan” was a big success. “Mitan” is now more than just the name of the album. It is also the “half-time”, of Canonge’s life. “The beginning of a new journey, driven by a desire for growth and evolution, a desire reach and lightly touch the essence with my own hands. bio by www.mariocanonge.net
