Soukous music artist de Plaizir is Jean Blanchard Azip and his band Britannia Rumba. They mix traditional Congolese rumba, Soukous and other genres to produce something energetic and original fused in Manchester. When the band released their very first endeavours, I was asked to create an elegant website, a serious online identity presenting the band leader and the music work that has been done.
“It’s difficult to argue with the description of ‘pure pleasure’ for Blanchard’s music – anything that comes so full of toe-tapping soukouss rhythms and sunshine-filled zouk can’t fail to make you smile, especially when you realise he’s mustered it up under the dour skies of Manchester, rather than the clear ones of Africa. It’s no surprise that he has found large audiences there and if we have any sense, we’ll swell his feel good get-togethers closer to home too.”
Chris Long
Who is in the band?
“Jean Blanchard Azip aka Blanchard de Plaizir on lead vocals, songwriting and producing, with Sam Alafia on djembe, congas and backing vocals, Romeo Ile on drums, Chocolat Blaise on bass, Santana Mongoley on lead guitar, Tshepe Tshepela on keyboards. We also have four dancers – Hellen Mulla, Karen, Trisha and Dioleene.”
What type of music do you play?
“Our music is an innovative blend of traditional Congolese rumba, Soukouss, zouk, Manchester’s music energy and modern music technology.”
What’s the Blanchard de Plaizir story?
“The group came together informally in October 2002, during gatherings in Moss Side. At the time, Manchester had an influx of Congolese refugees and many happened to be musicians, who performed in big bands back in the Democratic Republic of Congo. We used to meet at my house in evenings and interpret popular songs from home.
“Words spread around the Congolese community and soon my house became a place for people who lacked entertainment or simply missed home. People started to pile into my house, especially on weekends, to see us practice. This alerted the police, who put a stop to it. As a result, we did not practice for more than a year, due to lack of funds to pay for proper rehearsal space. During this time, we had also lost nearly all of the original band members because of immigration issues.
“After a meeting with Community Arts Northwest in 2004, who helped us to get a rehearsal space, we started again and I baptised the band Britannia Rumba. This time, there were new musicians from other parts of Africa from Sierra Leone to Sudan.
“Britannia Rumba now provides a context for African musicians in the city of Manchester to get together and develop their sound.”
How are things going?
“In July 2007, with the contribution of some Britannia Rumba band members, I released my first solo album, Plaisir Ya Trop!, meaning ‘Pure pleasure’. Following the release, I have successfully toured West and East Africa and received good reviews across the media in Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Burkinafaso, Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda.
“Locally, we have entertained and inspired audiences at venues all round Greater Manchester – GMex, The John Thaw Studio, University of Manchester, Contact Theatre, Bolton Octagon Theatre, Manchester Academy, Platt Fields Park, Wigan One World Festival, Oldham’s Festival of Diversity, Imperial War Museum North, Mint Lounge and many more venues.
“We have also supported many African artists on their UK tour, such as Kanda Bongo Man, Koffi Olomide, South Africa’s Mafikizolo band, Oliver Mtukuzi of Zimbambwe and Awilo Longomba.
“As a band, Britannia Rumba has built a strong reputation as one of the most exciting live music and dance groups in the North West. Firm festival favourites, they electrify the crowd with their infectious soukouss rhythm and dance wherever they appear.”
Listen to Blanchard de Plaizir’s music on his site >
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last updated: 14/01/2009 at 11:20
created: 14/01/2009
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