Jean-François Michel

Mama Africa

Mama Africa by Swiss composer Jean-François Michel is a vibrant work that celebrates the energy, warmth and vitality of the African continent. True to the composer's inventive spirit, the piece begins with an imaginary vocal language: a purely phonetic imitation inspired by the timbres of various African languages. Since Michel does not speak any of these languages, he tried above all to imitate their natural musicality, rhythm, color and spontaneity. This playful and mysterious introduction quickly leads to an irresistible pulse. Mama Africa is an invitation to move, to dance and to the simple, infectious joy of making music together. Its rhythmic freneticism, intense yet always elegant, conveys an energy that gives us or gives us back a youthful vitality. The work is a warm homage to African cultures and at the same time bears the personal, creative signature of Jean-François Michel.