Regis Givazo

The diatonic accordion is one of the key instruments of traditional Malagasy music. Its "panting" and spinning melodies have blended in for nearly two centuries into the practical music of Grande Ile where it is often used to incite trances. Nevertheless, following the poverty that has stricken the country and its musicians, the instrument is becoming ever more rare: the Malagasy accordionist, a species prone to extinction.

With respect to this sad situation, Régis Gizavo is the exception. At the age of 40, ten years of which were spent in Europe, this accordionist from Tuléar presents himself not only as a defender of the traditions of his region (where the ethic groups, Vezo, Masikoro and Mahafaly, co-exist), but also of modern, original music, absorbing like a sponge diverse influences with perfect ease. His experience in the country (immersion from his early childhood in trance music, performance of popular music with various variety groups, and pure research in collaboration with the guitarist D'Gary) have all gone to make him an accomplished musician, who, in 1990, was awarded Radio France International's "Discovery Prize".

Ever since his arrival in Europe the same year, he's been seen by the side of musicians of every genre: jazz, Oriental, African, variety. It was thanks to the Corsican group I Muvrini, with whom he's been performing since 1993, that his name became a household word. But it is in his own concerts and albums, as a duet with percussionist David Mirandon, that he expresses his true identity: that of a musician with his ears open and his heart irremediably Malagasy.

— Courtesy Calabash Music