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Albums of the Year
“Drum’n’ bass is not renowned as the most subtle music
on the planet, but the French-Beninese singer Mina Agossi delivers a wholly
original acoustic variant on Well You Needn’t (Candid). A true one-off,
she somehow finds a way of combining bop, soul, hip-hop and a hint of
free-jazz mischief without tying herself in knots.” -Clive Davis,
Sunday, December 10, 2006 - The
Sunday Times of London
Mina Agossi was born in France in 1972 to French and West African parents.
Mina, thoughout her early years, was drawn to two things; the love of
the stage and following in her mother's footsteps, a love of travel. This
passion led to her studying Theatre in many different countries, including
Niger, Morocco, and France. (See:
Boston Globe Review)
After graduating in 1990, Mina continued to travel, spending time in both
the US and Spain, before returning to France in 1992. Once back home Mina
found herself singing the blues as a favour for a friend who was a saxophonist.
The experience changed her life; so much so she immediately knew she was
to become a singer.
Mina found herself increasingly interested in modern Jazz. The result
of this was an album co-created with a double bass player in 1995. Comprising
original co-written tunes and using no wind, brass or keyboard instruments;
this album marked the beginning of the development of a very personal
style “Voice & Bass”- that would stay with her right up
until the present day. In 1997 the CD won the prize of “Young Self-Produced
Talents” from the French organisation FNAC.
After moving to Paris, Mina teamed up with drummer Philippe Combelle,
with whom she produced her second album, “Alkemi” in 2001.
This CD won critical acclaim and received a Five Star review in classical
magazine “Diapason”, as well as special recognition in Jazz
Magazine.
After “Alkemi”, Mina created a new band with instrumental
masters Alexandre Hiele on the double bass and Bertrand Perrin on drums.
With this line up Mina found great success continually touring Europe
and the US with new, original compositions and her own re-working of standards.
Offers started to flood in for her to perfom with other bands. She regularly
performs with the likes of Adam Pieronscyk “Amos”, Spirit
of Life Ensemble, Mukta, and Archie Shepp.
Just after the attacks of September 11 2001, “E-Zpass to Brooklyn”
was recorded by Mina, live in Brooklyn. This album saw her heading deeper
down the self-forged path of her by now unique sound. With imitations
of free jazz sax solos and scratching in the microphone, Mina mixes many
different musical styles, from hip hop to world to jazz, blues, rock,
throwing them around, often when least expected. Then a second CD appeared
“Carrousel“ with the same trio.
In 2004 Mina Agossi signed to British jazz label Candid Records, and immediately
made a massive impact with performances during the Candid Jazz Week in
London. Mina's first CANDID record “Zaboom!!” was released
in May of 2004.
Mina won the award for 'Best Newcomer' at the prestigious Adami Awards
(an industry awards ceremony held in France) which led her to be booked
at the Vienne Jazz Festival 2005 supporting the legendary Oscar Peterson.
Another accomplishment was her interpretation of Beauty and the Beast
for the Lyon Opera House which she was commissioned to write in the spring.
Autumn of 2005 saw her performing with her own band and joining Archie
Shepp as part of the London Jazz Festival and a sell -out ,two night,
show at Pizza on The Park.
2006 brings with it a very busy schedule for Mina. In January she was
invited to perform at the most important annual music industry event -
MIDEM in Cannes followed by the launch of her new record “Well You
Needn’t” (with bassist Alex Hiele and drummer Ichiro Onoe)
in the UK and the US in the spring. Tours around Europe, Africa and Russia
follow.
“Well you Needn’t” was released in France in October
where it received 5 star reviews from Jazzman and Jazz Magazine and even
caught the attention of fashion magazine Elle which gave it a wonderful
review. The record is regularly played on France national radio FIP.
Mina continues to take the jazz vocal scene in a brand new and exciting
direction with every performance she gives!
Mina
Agossi's performing schedule
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