HELSINKI-COTONOU ENSEMBLE (FINLAND/BENIN)
SUNNY AFRO-FUNKY VOODOO PARTY
FROM HELSINKI TO BENIN AND BACK.aND AGAIN AND AGAIN, DANCING AND HAVING FUN
Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble is a Finnish–Beninese afrobeat and funk band. Its leaders are the Finnish guitarist Janne Halonen and the Beninese singer, percussionist and saxophonist Noël Saïzonou. When they first met in 2009 no-one believed that they could understand each other, record music, form a band and travel the world. It was just about listening to each other and feeling the good vibes of their music. Since Noël and the Finnish invited the Tanzanian trombonist and singer Kasheshi Makena the band creates explosive performances that make everyone dance at the moment when Noël beats the drums. Welcome to the afro-funky party.
Photos: Eetu Linnankivi a Maarit Kytöharju
