Gangbe Brass Band

The Gangbé Brass Band was formed in 1994 when eight musicians, all from Cotonou-Benin, came together. These young jazz musicians had been playing in different groups before creating this unusual fusion of traditional styles.

Gangbé Brass Band's vision is to promote the originality of the music of Benin. The result is definitely both modern and traditional, as it mixes jazz and traditional Benin idioms.

They take traditional rhythms and invigorate them with jazz harmonies. The fusion reveals as much as possible of the musical tradition, while giving a Western tone, to link the past and future. They sing in vernacular language about life in general, political injustices and the tribulations of women.

Through the word Togbé, the band salutes the music on which they build their sound. The first meaning of the word is "ancestor," the band's way of paying homage to the range and quality of the rhythms they created. The second is a reference to age, highlighting the ancient roots of the music they play.

The Gangbé Brass Band's musical approach is respectful of tradition, and in harmony with their ancestors and culture. —Courtesy Calabash Music