The godmother of Tempo Latino 2024
July 16, 2024Christelle DURANDY
Artist, singer (from PMO), arranger
Christelle Durandy fuses Afro-Caribbean, jazz and other polyrhythmic sounds in a provocative exploration of the diffuse and powerful musical energy of the African diaspora - a multicultural complexity she herself embodies, having been raised in France by a mother from Reunion and a father from Guadeloupe.
Christelle currently leads her Afro-Caribbean ensemble Sanktet (French for "five heads") and is the lead singer of the Grammy-winning Pacific Mambo Orchestra.
She brings her talents for writing, arranging and performing to the all-female Latin music collective Cocomama.
Her singing has been featured on various projects with such luminaries as John Santos, Paula West, Benny Golson, Meshell Ndegeocello, Lizz Wright, George Mesterhaze, Jon Faddis, Pedrito Martinez, Baptiste Trotignon, Toshi Reagon, Nona Hendryx, Ravi Coltrane, Allison Miller, Luis Enrique, Flea, Paul Carlon Octet, LaFrae Sci, Camille Thurman, Edward Perez, Ran Blake, John Benitez, Max Pollak RumbaTap, Ricky Ford et Ze Big Band, La India, Camille A. Brown, Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards, Meklit Hadero, Holly Near and Millicent Johnnie.
Christelle has sung with the "greats" of salsa in the USA, Cuba and elsewhere: Yeni Valdes (Los Van Van) Gerardo Contino (NG La Banda), La India, Luis Enrique, Pedrito Martinez, Hernan Rivera, Paulo Stagnaro, Marcos López, Marcos Torres, Rebecca Mauleón, Ruben Rodriguez, Giovanni Hidalgo, Orestes Vilato, Roman Diaz, Sandy Perez, Louie Romero, Jesus Diaz, Karl Perazzo, Carlos "El Bola" Betancourt, Bobby Allende, Isidro Infante, Anthony Carrillo, Papo Pepin, Juan-Carlos Formell, to name but a few.
A word from Christelle:
"Tempo Latino!
Tempo Latino, the temple of world music, plays an essential role in the international musical arena and collective cultural memory! Over the years, El puro Eric Duffau and his entire team have presented us with bold, ingenious, candid and classic artistic offerings, in keeping with the festival's values of crossbreeding, openness, generosity and sharing.
The Tempo Latino festival has a lot of heart, and its loyal and generous audience is more than enough to make it priceless.
My initiation to the festival dates back to the late 90s... And I have nurtured many dreams, aspirations and motivations there. Since then, many stars have left us, reminding us that it's always heartbreaking to speak of others in the imperfect tense. Other stars have been born; and, Tempo Latino continues with the times, in the present, exploring the depths of contemporary music woven of traditions and inclusions.
I am deeply and sincerely moved and honored to be the patron of this edition.
¡ Ahora sí, antes no!"
Christelle DURANDY
Artist, singer (from PMO), arranger
