SENAYA

Debut Toronto Performance

It was with unexpected joy and delight that I visited the Tranzac club for the Francophone Festival's presentation of Senaya, with opening act Donne Roberts. I was enthralled by her presence and direct openness with the audience.

Obviously, well experienced in communicating, Senaya performed with an unwavering focus on keeping us hooked into her every word. Performed mostly in French she spoke playfully and seriously with her crowd on the joy of life, love, music and sharing in such a manner that left a contagious happiness. She is definitely gifted in getting the audience involved, whether dancing, clapping, singing along or simply laughing at her candid approach.

Accompanying her on stage was vocalist Maranda Colin and guitarist Cecile Doo-Kingué who flawlessly maintained her stance as full band including rhythm, bass and lead with her elctric acoustic guitar. Brilliant maneuvering on her part.

Senaya's CD "Garde La Tete Haute" - Keep Your Head High is a collection which clearly describes what can be referred to as guintessential neo-creole soul. The world beat infused poetry of Senaya is refreshing to say the least. With limited knowledge of French along with Creole slang expressions, the shear sensuality and depth of the messages in this release and the "Team" as referred to in the credits, is emotionally intreguing and compels one to listen again and again.



Overall this is a signature work to flag as the collection that should catapult awarness of Senaya to great international stardom. The technical aspect of this CD is superb, in good taste and well thought out. Trust me, each replay will yield more and more to the ear. The title track "Garde La Tete Haute" is a feast of the vocal prowess of Senaya with a simple and catchy hook line woven into words of consciousness and individual determination. The urgence to keep the highest regard for the things that nurture one the most, is a timely message from and artist deeply commited to her art form.

Now residing in Montreal Senaya has lived in Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Senegal, Guadeloupe, and France. Born in Dakar, she has travelled from the shores of Africa to Europe, the U.S., the West Indies, Latin America and speaks Creole, French, Wolof, Spanish, German, Italian and English. I have very rarely expressed this for any artist younger than 30, but her performance, stage presence and experience speak that of a natural diva, who works incredibly hard for what she loves to do and is well travelled enough to know what she's talking about to people all over the globe.

Visit Senaya at www.senaya.ca or www.myspace.com/senaya

Senaya, it was an unexpected delight to meet and speak with you while here in Toronto, performing for the first time.
No doubt, you will be back very soon if we can help it !!!

Eryn Vogn & Julius Veal
Heads Up Live Media

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