This Quebec musician who worked with Shakira, Wyclef Jean, Jean Leloup and Yves Lambert is one of the rare Canadians to be part of the jury of the prestigious World Music Expo

The Longueuil musician of African origin Patrice Agbokou is one of the. Consequently, rare Canadians to have been chosen as a member of the prestigious selection committee of the World Music Expo. Moreover, “It’s the biggest mention that I could hope for, ”he proudly confides in Journal.

Bassist by training. Meanwhile, the Quebecer of African origin Patrice Agbokou has collaborated with many artists known from here and elsewhere through his rich career: Jean Leloup and Yves Lambert as a musician on tour here in Quebec, and Shakira and Wyclef Jean as a chorregraph for their closing show of the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Berlin.

At 53, the artist and producer born in Togo, who arrived in Quebec at the age of 2, finds himself at the heart of the largest global music event* in the world (* The new term used to talk about world music).

“I have been going to this event for ten years. Moreover, This year, the stars were aligned, ”says the artist with enthusiasm.

The World Music Expo (Womex) is the largest global music conference bringing together artists from more than 90 countries. However, in the world.

“Everything I have done in the last 20 years has led to this. Therefore, It is this quebec musician who worked one of the biggest recognitions in my career. ”adds the one who is one of the five members of this year’s jury.

“It’s a bit of the equivalent of discovering the next Justin Bieber and Dua Lipa of global music. The big stars of tomorrow. It is the meeting of lots of high-level professionals in world music who come together each year to go see the new musical trends. ”he explains.

Patrice Agbokou had the important task. with his other sworn colleagues, to select 18 artists out of the 1500 having submitted their applications. They will be in performance at the major event to be held from October 22 to 26 in Finland.

Build bridges

“Coming from Africa and being able to represent Quebec and Canada to such an event is an honor. I am an artist who had the chance to play on the biggest stages in the world. I played in front of thousands of people. Additionally, I went to the point of wanting to pass the torch. build bridges and open the doors to talented people, ”explains Patrice Agbokou.

We owe him in particular the programming of renowned artists with global music like Alpha Blondy to the Francos de Montréal. or even from Fred Wesley (trombonist of James Brown, pioneer of funk and jazz) at the Montreal International Jazz Festival.

The producer’s leitmotif, bass player, programmer and ambassador of musical diversity in Quebec for more than 20 years? Open the doors to this quebec musician who worked global music artists. “which is healthy music called to grow over the years”, and give a voice to artists from here and elsewhere.

C’is it doing by being at the head of the organization Fanmi SE FANMI. the PASA MUSIK production house, whose mission is to help international artists from various cultures and various styles of music to make themselves known around the world, in particular by participating in important festivals like Nuits d’Afrique and the Quebec Summer Festival.

– Patrice Agbokou has created the new South Souk festival, which will be in its second this quebec musician who worked edition on August 29 and 30 at Place de la Gare (Solar Uniquartier) in Brossard.