Valerie Chane Tef of Akoda brings island vibes to Bengaluru
The Hindu
Valerie Chane Tef of Akoda, a musician from Reunion Island who was recently in the city, talks about her music and more
“My set list is a mix of songs from my latest album and the one before that but I also have a new song,un cadeau (a gift) for the people of India,” says Valérie Chane Tef of Akoda, a band from Reunion Island.
Titled ‘Bal Zétwal,’ Valerie’s song for India resonates with her ethos of world music and culture. Akoda itself is the name of a god in the Yoruba religion. “Reunion Island is a mix of four religions and four cultures — Indian, Chinese, French and African — and my music is about this. It too, is a mix. I compose because I want to put all my experiences, influences and inspiration into music,” says Valerie.
Though it is her third visit to India, Valerie who was here for Fete De La Musique’s World Music Day celebrations, was in Bengaluru for the first time. And though the traffic “is terrible” she says the Indian Music Experience Museum is “simply amazing.”
Valerie, with percussionist Eric Perez and bassist Thomas Boude, are Akoda — known for their unique presentation of jazz creole.
“For me it was important to share my music with the public,” adds the musician, who was around 23 years old when she made a conscious decision to start performing on stage.
“I began playing the piano when I was seven, practicing classical music. When I was studying in France, at the university in Bordeaux, I fell in love with the sounds of jazz.”
“I realised then that I wanted to play jazz too. My teacher was from Madagascar and from him, as well as my first tour in Morocco with musicians from South America, I learned about world music,” she says.