ISLAND JAZZ

Monika Njava, voice
Celebrated across Madagascar as a true diva, Monika Njava was lead singer in the prize-winning group Njava, which recorded two critically acclaimed albums for EMI Records. She has also recorded and toured with platinum-selling Deep Forest. Most recently she completed a world-pop solo album, Haizina.

Linley Marthe, bass
Considered by many as the world’s foremost jazz bassist, Linley Marthe has played with top artists, notably Joe Zawinul, as well as Cheb Mami, Dave Liebman, Nguyen Le, Trilok Gurtu, Jean Luc Ponty, Paco Séry and Randy Brecker. Based in Paris, Linley comes from the island of Mauritius, east of Madagascar.

Joël Rabesolo, guitar
Joël Rabesolo is recognized as Madagascar’s leading jazz guitarist. His distinctive combination of traditional Malagasy music with contemporary jazz is highly imaginative, both rhythmically complex and lushly melodic.

Ndriana Kely, drums
Known as one of the country’s top jazz drummers, Ndriana Kely was described in L’Express de Madagascar as “an incredible talent” and “one of the revelations of the last Madajazzcar International Festival”.