Biography
Youssou Seck
Artist Youssou Seck’s musical and storytelling talents stem from a long line of traditional Senegalese musicians, griots and poets.
Youssou moved to Montreal, Quebec Canada in 1991 from Senegal, West Africa. There he began his musical career. His lifelong passion and incredible talent quickly became recognized and his dream of performing professionally became a reality.
For over a decade in Montreal, the basis of his career included performing percussion with Juno
Award winning West African band, Takadja. During this time, he toured extensively throughout Canada and the USA, playing a variety of shows.
In addition Youssou began singing, and playing guitar and percussion with Arnold Ludvig, a Danish bassist with a taste for jazz and prog rock, Bruno Rouyere, a local guitarist on the blues and reggae tip and Natalie Dussault, a Quebecoise with the distinction of being the first Canadian to master the kora, a complex African string instrument normally played by men. They were known as Baobab Electrique. For 7 years Baobab played venues, schools and festivals throughout Quebec and the Maritimes. They developed a strong following that supported regular play on CBC Radio. Their popularity also led to Youssou receiving an Award for Best Story Teller from Multi Montreal. Youssou often played with other local performers, including Greek Band Ouzo Power, to continually diversify his musical experiences.
His successful and varied musical career in Montreal formed the dynamic solo artist he has become today. More specifically, the way he sews together his energetic guitar playing, traditional West African drumming and powerful singing in French, English and his native Wolof. “My only problem now is to put my music into one genre. To say it is jazz or blues . . . . For me it’s just music. All of my songs, my compositions come from life.”
In 2003 Youssou moved to Calgary, Alberta. He continues to perform and 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. Youssou is often joined by percussionist Brent Van Dusen, bass player Dale and guitarist Clay O’Flanighan. Youssou is also a regular performer with Drum Cafe, specializing in interactive Corporate Team Building and Entertainment using drums.
“In the last 16 years of my life I have travelled all around Canada and the USA playing with musicians of many styles. Now I am living the fruit of my experience which I enjoy 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.