Biography
Youssou Seck
Youssou Seck's musical and storytelling talents stem from a long line of traditional West African musicians, griots and poets.
The native of Senegal moved to Montreal, Quebec Canada in 1991 where he began his musical career. His lifelong passion and natural talent was soon rewarded as his dream of becoming a professional musician became a reality. For over a decade in Montreal, Seck was the percussionist with Juno Award winning West African band, Takadja, during which time he toured extensively throughout Canada and the USA.
In addition Seck began playing guitar, percussion and singing with Arnold Ludvig, a Danish bassist with a taste for jazz and progressive rock, Bruno Rouyere, a local guitarist balancing on the fine edge of blues and reggae, and Natalie Dussault, a Quebecoise with the distinction of being the first Canadian to master the kora, a complex African string instrument traditionally played by men. Collectively they were known as Baobab Electrique. For seven years Baobab played festivals, clubs, events and school programs throughout Quebec and the Maritimes. They developed a strong following supported by regular airtime on CBC Radio. Their popularity also led to Seck receiving an award for Best Story Teller from Multi Montreal. Seck often played with other local performers including the Greek band, Ouzo Power, with the aim of continually expanding his musical diversity, mastery and experience.
His successful career in Montreal nurtured the dynamic solo artist he has become today. His energetic guitar playing, traditional West African drumming and powerful vocals that skip between French, English and his native Wolof create an intriguing and variegated musical quilt. "My only problem now is to put my music into one genre. To say it is African or World Beat or jazz or blues . . . For me it's just music. All of my songs, my compositions, come from life."
In 2003 Seck moved to Calgary, Alberta, where he has developed a strong following in the World Music scene. He hosts ongoing World Beat nights at local venues and released his first solo album, Alisa in 2005. Seck is often joined by percussionists Brent Van Dusen & Bassirou Silla, lead guitar player David Kabashi and bassist Ricardo Madrid. Together they are called “Youssou Seck and The Meeting of the World” and are in the process of recording a CD for a 2011 release. This year Youssou has toured solo, with his band and with other bands including Los Morenos and Dr. Zoo through B.C (several times, including the main stage for Canada day in Kelowna), Montreal, Newfoundland (East Coast Music Awards with Dr. Zoo), Saskatchewan, Senegal, and Cuba.
He recently performed at Global Fest, The Sonica Festival, City of Calgary’s 1000 Parks Festival and did several shows for Black History Month at Epcor Centre. In Canmore this November, “Youssou Seck and the Meeting of The World” performed at a charity evening to raise funds for a school building in Senegal. "In the last sixteen years of my life I have travelled all around playing with musicians of many styles. Now I am living the fruit of my experience which I love to share every time I am on the stage. For me it is the gift of life."
Brent Van Dusen
My good friend Brent Van Dusen is a world class drummer who often plays by my side. Here is his biography.
Brent Van Dusen is a percussionist, composer and educator.
A short list of performance, recording and touring credits include Chilean guitarist Oscar Lopez, Jazz/Pop Diva Onalea Gilbertson, Canadian jazz icon Hugh Fraser, the Whip It Out Ensemble, a Frank Zappa tribute, One Yellow Rabbit Performance Theatre, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. As a creative artist, his newest project Red Venus Blue Tango with Morag Northey is preparing to release their debut CD.
An innovative composer and arranger for ensembles, theatre, dance, film and video, Brent's music has been featured at festivals across Canada, U.S.A., Finland and Poland. For Carter Macrae Events Brent has been music director for many corporate events including the Yes It's Calgary show which has toured to Washington, DC, New York, Toronto and Ottawa.
He is the lead facilitator for the Drum Cafe in Alberta, frequently does school residencies and workshops and has taught at Mount Royal Conservatory and the University of Calgary.