Senaya is the voice of Soûlkreôl, a style of her own that she has developed over time. With a warm, emotive voice, the artist-musician, accompanied by her 5 musicians on stage, introduces us to her universe. A richly blended music where rhythms from the Caribbean and Africa harmonize perfectly. An environment where she pays homage to those who inspired her to be who she is, also honoring her ancestors. Thus, among others, Manu Dibango, Aimé Césaire, Léopold Sédar Senghor, Langston Hugues, Kassav, Bob Marley, Cesaria Evora, Miriam Makeba, James Brown, Michael Jackson and Nina Simone come together in this Soûlkreôl universe.

For Senaya, the dead are not dead. As in Birago Diop’s poem Les Souffles, she tells us that they are living memories, continuing for eternity to inspire us, whispering words, colors filled with life in our ears, and giving us the strength to go on our way while keeping our heads held high.

Moreover, the show Senaya, The Voice of Soûlkreôl also includes reinterpreted songs from her first album Garde la Tête Haute, released in 2005. If black music were a tree, Senaya’s music would represent all the rich and diverse roots of this tree. The artist-musician expresses her mixed soul, moving from Creole to Wolof, Portuguese to French, and English to Spanish. Finally, Senaya, The Voice of Soûlkreôl is Senaya on stage sharing with us her unique voice and recognizable tone her current compositions.

Senaya was born in the country where Negritude originated, in the city of Dakar, Senegal. Her mother is from Guadeloupe and her father from Senegal. She is an artist, author, composer, guitarist, director and producer. Her music is Soûlkreôl, a richly blended music with Jazz, Soul, Spirituals, Makossa, Gwoka, Funk, Zouk, Afrobeat, Biguine and Zougoulou influences.

Photo credit : Pierre Coeffic