A percussionist, singer, actor and storyteller, Gotta Lago is an ace of artistic exploration. His music, spanning African tradition and jazz, is an open door to the world.
Born in Côte d'Ivoire, Gotta Lago grew up in a music-filled environment. He took music courses at the Institut des Arts in Côte d'Ivoire. At an early age, he was noticed for his artistic talents and took part in a number of local groups.
In 1998, he settled in Quebec, where he discovered a thriving cultural wealth, an environment that suited him perfectly. He was taught in vocal jazz and classical song at the Université de Montréal and joined a number of musical groups. He played piano for two years with a French-speaking reggae group. In this way he participated in various festivals such as the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Nuits d’Afrique, Woodstock en Beauce, the Festival Musique du Bout du Monde in Gaspé, the Festival des Musiques du Monde in Chicoutimi, and the Festival des Lacs des Nations in Sherbrooke.
In 2004, he founded the Gotta Lago Project, a group of five musicians who created a fusion of traditional African music with blues and modern world music currents. In addition to Gotta Lago on vocals, guitar and percussions, the group consisted of Gnakalé Aristide on bass and vocals, David Mobio on keyboard and vocals, Miles Dupire on drums, and Atchouellou William on percussions and vocals.
He also led percussion workshops in schools and taught African song at the Université de Montréal, the Centre d'Art Afrique en Mouvements, and the Samajam school.
Mais Gotta Lago has far more than one arrow in his quiver. In addition to his musical activities, he works with Canadian painters. He is part of a theatre company and collaborates on contemporary dance shows as a choreographer. He also leads evenings devoted to stories and legends.
Learn more about Gotta Lago at
http://www.myspace.com/gottalagoproject
Learn more about Nuits D'Afrique at
festivalnuitsdafrique.com
Photos by
HeatherLWeimer.Com
