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Wasis Diop
Originally born in Senegal, Wasis now makes his home in Paris but returns to his homeland frequently. He is a singer, musician, and composer who produced a brilliant soundtrack for the feature film, "Hyenes", directed by his brother Djibril Diop Mambety and also received critical acclaim for the song Everything is Never Quite Enough from the motion picture "The Thomas Crown Affair". His success has continued with his extremely-eclectic solo albums "No Sant" released in 1995 and "Toxu" released in 1998.
David Sancious first exposure to the music industry came as an original member of Bruce Springsteens' E Street Band. He formed the group TONE in 1974 and recorded several albums of original compositions.
Performing on keyboards and guitars, and as composer and producer, David has recorded and toured with a wide variety of some of the most notable talent in the music industry including:
Bruce Springsteen: Keyboards
Eric Clapton: Keyboards
Santana: Keyboards/Guitar
Peter Gabriel: Keyboards
Sting: Keyboards/Guitar
Seal: Keyboards/Guitar / Musical Director
Natalie Merchant: Keyboards/Producer
Yousou Ndour: Keyboards/Guitar / Producer
Since arriving in New York in 1995, bassist-vocalist-composer Richard Bona has been one of the most sought-after talents on the scene. To date, guitarists Larry Coryell, Mike Stern and Pat Metheny, keyboardists Joe Zawinul, Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Jacky Terrasson and Bob James, saxophonists Sadao Watanabe, Branford Marsalis and David Sanborn, violinist Regina Carter, vocalist Bobby McFerrin and trumpeter Randy Brecker have enlisted his services as a sideman. But it is in the context as a leader in his own right that the gifted Cameroonian has revealed the full scope of his artistry.
Born in 1967 in the village of Minta in East Cameroon, Bona grew up in a home filled with music. He began to perform in public at the age of five, singing in the village church with his mother and four sisters. Currently Richard is touring with the Pat Metheny Group—Bona's blending of his own African musical roots, his jazz sensibilities and his poignant lyrical reflections on his life mark yet another broadening of the very definition of jazz.
An extremely talented guitar player, Mike can stretch from R&B to pop to rock. He has played with, amongst others, Rod Stewart, Diana Ross, James Taylor, Laura Nyro, Joni Mitchell, Mariah Carey and David Crosby.
Vinnie's talents were obvious from an early age. After attending the Berklee School of Music, he worked with Frank Zappa (1978) and then performed with Joni Mitchell for several years. Vinnie settled in Los Angeles in 1983 and worked for seven years as a very busy studio musician. In 1990 he went back on the road with Sting and in 1994 had his first record date as a leader, the self-titled "Vinnie Colaiuta" on the Stretch label.
Armand was born in Cameroon, raised in Africa and Europe, and began his career while attending school in Paris. Armand's bass playing older sibling, Roger, was his first musical inspiration, bit it was his drum-playing brother Felix who presented him with a bass at the age of fourteen. He is now not only a first class writer but his talents as a composer are very highly sought after by such distinguished musicians as Stanley Clarke, Carole King, and Herbie Hancock. In the late 80's and into the 90's he played and toured with Paul Simon to critical acclaim. His versatility enables him to perform with many well-known musicians and his award-winning and instantly recognizable sounds have given him the critical acclaim that he so richly deserves.
Born in Philadelphia, Andy played clarinet as a child but switched to sax at 15. He studied music at the University of Miami and, while there, was picked to be part of a horn section touring with Bob James in 1984. After graduating he went on to complete an MBA at New York University. While working on his degree he sat in with local bands and pursued studio work. By 1990 Andy had taken his place as an in-demand session player, carving out a niche as a musician's musician - a few years later he was signed to Warner Jazz as a solo artist. Andy has taken a giant step forward in a career that has already involved recording with artists such as Bette Midler, Carly Simon, Aretha Franklin, and Chaka Khan as well as touring with the Rolling Stones.
Composer, performer, multi-instrumentalist, pilot and adventurer, Steve Shehan was born in 1957 in Ft. Eustis, Virginia. He spent his early childhood in the Florida Keys, coming to Europe to pursue academic and musical studies. His work as a professional musician began in 1976 while in Sweden. He has been based in France since 1978, though his travels since this time have led him virtually around the globe.
Steve's musical development has undergone many different influences through his working as a percussionist and bassist with artists such as Jon Hassell, Leonard Bernstein, John McLaughlin, Paul Simon, Ruichi Sakamoto, le Mystere des Voix Bulgares and others.
Grace is a singer who accompanies Serah. Her beautiful, ethereal style is the perfect complement to the African vocalists. Grace is not only a singer but is a songwriter as well and has released two albums.
Nick Sevilla, engineer, was born in Texas, Nick was raised in Mexico and started his career in Mexico City for a post production studio. Moved to Santa Barbara where he worked as engineer at Soundesign Studios with groups such as Yes, Depeche Mode, Flora Purim, & Maynard Ferguson. Nick is a genius recording engineer who has been instrumental in the last two cd's from Serah—Wing of Mercy and Late Harvest—and is currently in the recording studio with Serah and Wasis for an upcoming album.
Neil is a three-time Grammy Award winner for his work with Sting, Dire Straits and Bruce Hornsby. He has worked with Serah since 1993 while mixing Out of the Wind. It was Neil who understood Serah's vision for her music and introduced her to Bernard Paganotti. It was the beginning of a wonderful "kooked" partnership.
Bernard has been described by Neil Dorfsman as "possibly the best bass player on the planet." He is an extremely accomplished musician, arranger and producer and has worked with Serah since 1994. His talents have also been utilized by the well-known French pop singer/songwriter Francis Cabrel for over 10 years and he has collaborated with the famed French drummer, Manu Katché.
Keyboardist extraordinaire! Bertrand accompanies, produces and arranges with many of France's well-known music superstars and co-produced Senegal Moon with Serah, Neil and Bernard.
Although he has never won a grammy award, Lawrence Manchester has recorded and mixed the music for a variety of albums, television programs and films including The Red Violin, Dish, You've Got Mail, and Frida. He always enjoys working with the diversely talented people who appear in Serah's recordings. His favorite hobby is flying airplanes and were it not for his love of music, he would probably be a commercial pilot.
Daby was born in Mauritania and now resides in Paris. He is the son of one of the brothers of the famed African group, Touré-Kunda, and sings African vocals and harmonies on Senegal Moon, Wing of Mercy, and Late Harvest. Daby works as a singer/songwriter and together with Omar has formed the group Touré Touré.
Omar is Daby's cousin. Omar and Daby have sung together since they were children, and together, their African harmonies have graced Senegal Moon, Wing of Mercy, and Late Harvest. Omar and Daby sing and write together for their own group, Touré Touré.
The third member of the African vocalists heard on Senegal Moon, Wing of Mercy, and Late Harvest, Guilla was born in Senegal and now resides in Paris. He began his career as a rap artist. Guilla also solos as a singer and writer.
The daughter of bass player Bernard Paganotti, Himiko is a background singer who sings in Japanese, as well as in various African dialects. She has a wide range of musical interests and sings and writes jazz, hard rock and funk. Himiko has sung on all 3 records.
Antoine is Himiko's brother. That makes him Bernard's son. He is a great drummer and a background singer, as well. He is also involved in writing and singing within a broad range of musical formats and performed on Sengal and Wing of Mercy.
Patrice's nimble fingers made him one of the most popular and respected guitarists in France where he toured with some of the top French artists. His soulful artistry graced Serah's music since 1994. He played on Senegal Moon, Wing of Mercy and Late Harvest.
Jerome played on some of the new album of Spiritual Songs.
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