SENAYA
Montréal, Quebec, Canada | SELF
Music
Press
The young and radiant Senaya was born under the Senegalese sun, in the capital city of Dakar. Very proud of her roots, she considers herself as originating from both Senegal and Guadeloupe. Her father is a Senegalese businessman and her mother hails from Guadeloupe. She works in the medical field and also has a beautiful singing voice.
Senaya’s parents are also both passionate lovers of music. The artist, mother to a young daughter, has lived in several countries: Guadeloupe, France, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and since 1996 she lives in Montreal, Canada. Her many trips have developed in her a large capacity for adaptation and rich life experience. Senaya enjoys her vast cultural heritage. She carries within her “afro-caribbean” roots, as well as her grandmother’s Indian origins. Senaya is a lover of cultural diversity with a wide openness to the world. Senaya wears many hats: she is a self-taught songwriter, composer and interpreter. Her songs are inspired by the cultural mosaic which surrounds her. She sings salsa, zouk, blues, acoustic soul, Caribbean jazz, and RnB, among other styles.
This artist became the first Black woman in Quebec to receive the prize of Interpreter of the Year at the 35th International Song Festival of Granby (the most important francophone festival in Canada and the United States) in 2003. Senaya’s first album, “Garde la tête haute” – “Keep Your Head Up High”. This CD of 13 tracks was launched on August 23, 2005, with the prestigious Quebec record company Audiogram.The first successful track was “Garde la tête haute” – “Keep Your Head Up High”. The lyrics are profound and touching. The artist delivers a message of hope. She stands out by her charisma and the quality of her lyrics.
June 26, 2009, she interpreted a song in honour of the deceased Aimé Césaire. Senaya is one of the most brilliant and most articulate young artists of our day. This singer possesses a divine talent and is gifted in languages. She speaks seven different languages: Creole, Wolof, Spanish, Italian, French, English and German. She radiates an openness of mind and a universality which allows her to reach a very large public. Senaya, a citizen of the world and ambassador without borders, gives generously of herself in concert. She sings with her heart and has all the advantages of being able to conduct a great and lengthy international career. - PATRICIA TURNIER
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. We thoroughly enjoyed her challenging us to groove on down right to the ground with her saying "you think this is easy, you try it... " and so we did, what a laugh ! Accompanying her on stage was vocalist Maranda Colin and guitarist Cecile Doo-Kingué. 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 an artist deeply commited to her art form. I have very rarely used this expression for any new artist younger than 30, but her performance, stage presence and experienc 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.
- Eryn Vogn & Julius Veal for Heads Up Live www.headsuplive.com/Senaya.html
Discography
Released her first album in 2005 in Canada, Québec, Montréal. I released 1 single named "Garde la Tête haute"(Keep you heads up) in France.
Now working right now on her second album. with again more colors, cross over, jazz, soul, blues, folk, caribbean and african beats.
Photos
Bio
www.senaya.ca
Once upon a time in the world of the imagination, there was Senaya, a half-blood, who comes from the country where negritude originated and is deeply rooted.
She was born in the city of Dakar, Senegal, the child of a Guadeloupean mother and Senegalese father. Out of that bi-cultural blend emerged a multi-faceted rising star exuding creativity, Senaya.
She is a singer, composer, author, poet and guitarist. In a phrase a self-taught artist of a thousand flavours. In her musical life so far, Senaya has already crossed one half of Earth, stopping along the way to relish and absorb the culture, but especially the music, of the many places she has visited and lived to learn the musical traditions.
A committed humanist, Senaya is engaged in many humanitarian causes, not the least of which is human rights and justice for one and for all.
A self-described artist without borders unencumbered by national or international barriers, Senayas cross-cultural and multilingual attributes have enabled her to create music synonymous with her image and worldview. They encompass cultures and music, which incorporate American Blues, the rhythms of Africa and the Caribbean, Jazz, Soul, Funk, Folk, Pop and R'nB. Her repertoire is eclectic.
Endowed with charisma, Senaya is a veritable talent, a commanding performer with a warm, smooth, distinct voice. Thats how music critics and fans describe this authentic, fresh artist. Thats always evident in her melodious stylings v
Wherever theres a musical Groove, theres good music, there is Senaya. If you love good music, youll love Senaya. Wherever theres music that touches the Soul, theres Senaya. Catch her in concert when she comes to your town.
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