Lo' Jo - France

Brought together 30 years ago by charismatic French poet and philosopher Denis Pean in partnership with violinist Richard Bourreau, Lo’Jo has looked far beyond its homeland for musical and performance inspiration. Originally formed in Angers as a collective of musicians, artists and actors, Lo’Jo has restlessly travelled the world and developed into one of France’s great musical families that combine charm and poise, passion and flirty romance.

Through a dozen records, Lo’Jo has explored many musical cultures, bringing together such elements as gypsy fiddle, chanson, African talking drums and even elements of Caribbean groove, embracing the mindset of punk, jazz and rock in their spirited and adventurous delivery.

The striking presence of vocalist sisters Yamina and Nadia Nid el Mourid, of Berber heritage, also brings a rich North African flavour to the group. Denis’s lyrics take a flighty path, flitting between griot fables and humanist aphorisms, mingling French, Spanish, Arabic, Creole and English languages into an exotic and evocative hybrid.

It all comes together as a bewitching and generous cocktail that translates to powerful stage performances, having mesmerised WOMADelaide audiences in 1999 and 2005 and earned esteemed fans from Peter Gabriel and Argentinean tango masters Quarteto Cedron to Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant.

www.lojo.org