Yvon Tatafasa-Madagascar-B-TROPICAL Founder,Lead Vocal/Guitar
Born and raised in Madagascar, a country steeped in traditional music, Yvon Tatafasa and music are so inexorably connected that it is only through the Malagasy tradition of story-telling that he and his music might be disentangled enough to be more fully understood. In African story-telling, words express more than mere meaning; they come to express that which informs the meaning. Through story-telling, the people, places, things, and events take-on metaphoric proportions.
In his early childhood, Yvon’s family would gather in the living room every Sunday for what Yvon refers to as “their weekly family jam session.” The youngest of eight brothers and sisters, Yvon was too young to play one of the family-owned instruments, an organ and a guitar. But he was old enough to be taking it all in and to notice that on several occasions, his mother broke into tears of happiness to see her family of eleven joining together in music. In Yvon’s family, when one family member cried, they all cried. Similarly, when one family member dreamed, they all shared in that dream. His mother’s dream was to have an instrument for each of the children, rather than all of the family members sharing two instruments. Known for helping aspiring musicians get the resources that they need, Yvon has realized and expanded upon his mother’s dream; he finds ways for friends—his “extended family”—to get what they need to join in the fellowship of making music together.
At age seven, Yvon, captivated by one of his older brother’s abilities to sing and play the guitar, he, too, wanted to make music. Like many resourceful seven-year-olds, Yvon figured out a way to get what he wanted: he waited for fortuitous opportunities when his brother left the guitar unattended in his room, thus providing times when Yvon could “borrow” it. And, needing to be more than a little economical in how he used his limited time with the guitar, he learned one fingering position each day—cautious not to let his older brother find out. One day, Yvon paid too much attention to the guitar and too little to the doorway; his brother caught him using the guitar without his permission. To Yvon’s surprise, his brother was not angry. Instead, he was amazed at how far Yvon had progressed on his own. His brother was so impressed that he promised Yvon that he was going to help him learn to play the guitar. Yvon says this was “truly a turning point” for him. Not only did this experience make Yvon improve as a musician; it made him grow as a person. Although his brother simply intended to teach him how to play the guitar, he inadvertently taught Yvon the importance and obligation of helping others.
Both of these examples from Yvon’s early childhood had a tremendous influence on the person and musician he has become. His lyrics are filled with images of family and friends, as well as unity and community. Whether he is singing about missing family members or inviting listeners to “take my hand…we are the world,” metaphors involving fellowship and solidarity are ever-present.
His life was always full of music and percussion. Later, he became a tour guide and hotel clerk but music never left his soul. 20o2 he moved to the United States, later becoming a US citizen and made York Pa his home. He later met David and they began playing together and hosting open mics together for 3 years developing many friends and fans. They began a band called Mora Mora, that was the building block for the B-Tropical. In 2009, Yvon Officially formed the band with David, Mamoudou and their friend, Cheick on guitar and eventually recorded the CD, "be back Home, mostly written by Yvon himself with composing and arrangement help from David.Since then he has been performed in Bronx zoo NY,Brooklyn NY,Washington DC,Harrisburg PA,Lancaster PA, Hollywood CA, Annapolis MD,Baltimore MD and so ... Yvon is a charismatic personality and performer, his passion is clearly music and entertaining. He is an accomplished Malagasy Tribal Dancer as well as lead singer for B-Tropical with energy and stage presence you must see to believe!
In his early childhood, Yvon’s family would gather in the living room every Sunday for what Yvon refers to as “their weekly family jam session.” The youngest of eight brothers and sisters, Yvon was too young to play one of the family-owned instruments, an organ and a guitar. But he was old enough to be taking it all in and to notice that on several occasions, his mother broke into tears of happiness to see her family of eleven joining together in music. In Yvon’s family, when one family member cried, they all cried. Similarly, when one family member dreamed, they all shared in that dream. His mother’s dream was to have an instrument for each of the children, rather than all of the family members sharing two instruments. Known for helping aspiring musicians get the resources that they need, Yvon has realized and expanded upon his mother’s dream; he finds ways for friends—his “extended family”—to get what they need to join in the fellowship of making music together.
At age seven, Yvon, captivated by one of his older brother’s abilities to sing and play the guitar, he, too, wanted to make music. Like many resourceful seven-year-olds, Yvon figured out a way to get what he wanted: he waited for fortuitous opportunities when his brother left the guitar unattended in his room, thus providing times when Yvon could “borrow” it. And, needing to be more than a little economical in how he used his limited time with the guitar, he learned one fingering position each day—cautious not to let his older brother find out. One day, Yvon paid too much attention to the guitar and too little to the doorway; his brother caught him using the guitar without his permission. To Yvon’s surprise, his brother was not angry. Instead, he was amazed at how far Yvon had progressed on his own. His brother was so impressed that he promised Yvon that he was going to help him learn to play the guitar. Yvon says this was “truly a turning point” for him. Not only did this experience make Yvon improve as a musician; it made him grow as a person. Although his brother simply intended to teach him how to play the guitar, he inadvertently taught Yvon the importance and obligation of helping others.
Both of these examples from Yvon’s early childhood had a tremendous influence on the person and musician he has become. His lyrics are filled with images of family and friends, as well as unity and community. Whether he is singing about missing family members or inviting listeners to “take my hand…we are the world,” metaphors involving fellowship and solidarity are ever-present.
His life was always full of music and percussion. Later, he became a tour guide and hotel clerk but music never left his soul. 20o2 he moved to the United States, later becoming a US citizen and made York Pa his home. He later met David and they began playing together and hosting open mics together for 3 years developing many friends and fans. They began a band called Mora Mora, that was the building block for the B-Tropical. In 2009, Yvon Officially formed the band with David, Mamoudou and their friend, Cheick on guitar and eventually recorded the CD, "be back Home, mostly written by Yvon himself with composing and arrangement help from David.Since then he has been performed in Bronx zoo NY,Brooklyn NY,Washington DC,Harrisburg PA,Lancaster PA, Hollywood CA, Annapolis MD,Baltimore MD and so ... Yvon is a charismatic personality and performer, his passion is clearly music and entertaining. He is an accomplished Malagasy Tribal Dancer as well as lead singer for B-Tropical with energy and stage presence you must see to believe!
David Rajonary- Madagascar- Bass/lead and backing vocals/song arrangement
Raised Catholic, he went to church several times a week to watch his father play the harmonium and lead the church choir. At age 8, Rainy De mastered the harmonium himself, and his first performance was at his father’s church. Eventually, Rainy De picked up other musical instruments, such as the bass and guitar. By the time Rainy De turned 16, he was playing at area venues and was recognized by well-known musicians for his talent in various instruments. Playing with different artists suited him, as he never liked to be tied down with only one group. Rainy De has worked closely with many famous Malagasy artists, including Tiana, Bodo, Poopy, Top Mozika, Max Exception, and Bery Kely. In 2002, he joined the Baltimore–Washington band Ody-Gasy, playing Malagasy music with them when time permits. With Ody-Gasy, Rainy De has performed at such iconic U.S. institutions as the Smithsonian, the Kennedy Center, and the Washington National Zoo. Rainy De also collaborates with famous local bands—such as Azouhouni (Ivory Coast), Razia Said (France/Madagascar), Island Boys Steelpan Calypso (USA)—that specialize in a wide range of musical styles: African, Brazilian, Caribbean, reggae, dance, Latin, and world music. While Rainy De’s specialty is the bass, he is a highly sought-after singer, drummer, guitarist, arranger, and composer and used this talent on the B-Tropical CD, "be back home". In the mid 2000's he met Yvon at a Malagasky party in Washington DC and have been friends and playing together ever since, officially joining the band in 2009.
Mamoudou Konate- Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso (West Africa) -Djembe/backing vocals
The lineage on his father’s side was of Griot (Storyteller/Musician). Mamoudou’s first introduction to a drum was from his mother when he was a baby, not yet walking. When he cried, she would give him a can to bang and he became absorbed with that. Early on, it was obvious he had a gift, a very special talent to make music because even as a toddler and young child, he played for his village of Bobo Dioulasso and the women sang and the children danced. Amazingly, when he was 7 yrs. old the village children had collected money and bought Mamoudou his first drum, a Djembe. At the age of 10, Mamoudou and a friend began to practice together playing Djembe and djun-djun. Although the Djembe was his first drum because it was a gift from the village, the djun-djun (Dundun) was actually his first choice of drum. (He now plays Djembe, djun-djun, Talking Drum, and Calabash) This friend and he formed a band named Munuhkahdi and they played at wedding ceremonies, Baptisms, and local clubs. Yes! At 10 yrs. old! Mamoudou continued to play these venues until he was 15 yrs. old but then things changed. As the first-born son, he was expected to earn money for the family and there was little money performing as such; so he put his drum in the corner of his room and began to work with his father, a Tailor. For five years he worked at tailoring and did not touch his drum…Unbelievable! Not once! Not a tap! Then, five years having gone by, an old friend contacted him to play in a marriage ceremony. Mamoudou feared he would not remember how to play, but music is his nature and passion. It was now quite evident that he was blessed with the gift of music as he played without missing a beat! Never having a single lesson to learn music, Mamoudou has the exceptional ability to listen to a tempo and play along with any style of music. His ambition to play returned and he divided his time between tailoring and drumming. His friend moved to Ouagadougou, joined a band named Djigiua and invited Mamoudou to join. Two years later they had a contract to perform in France. With this band, he played in France three times and Italy two times. Several other artistes he played with are: Le Festival de Baaba Maal, Africa; the band “Djilhia” in Dakar, Senegal; The Festival of Slavery in Ghana; The French Cultural Center of Niger with the group “Ancekou”; Singer Alif Naaba; Dynamic singer/dancer Mai Lingani Ma Kouyake; Griot Basta Diabate; the band “Doumba Kulture”, Ouagadougou; singer Amety Meria, Italy; and toured Africa with singer Issouf Keinou. Mamoudou’s first experience in America was when he came for five days in 2009 to perform with singer Awa Sissao at the United Nations Convention in NYC. America intrigued him and 6 months following his return to Africa he was back in America. He has settled in NY and lives on Long Island. Since his return he has played (with) Hip-hop group “The Roots”; Hip-hop group “Bajah”; African Night at the legendary St. Nick’s Pub in Harlem; The famous Blue Note in Manhattan; Central Park Stage with Les Nubians; and numerous clubs and events in New Jersey, Boston, Brooklyn, Long Island, and NYC. When Mamoudou plays, you can see that his music is from his heart. It’s apparent in his face. When you listen to Mamoudou play… you will not sit still…you cannot!! Mamoudou, who has performed with both David and Monvelyno in New York City, met Yvon in 2009 and began playing with B-Tropical as one of the original members along with David and Yvon.