Loy Ehrlich

I was born in Paris in November 1950. Studies of classical piano from the age of 5 years. Beethoven, Bach, the Beatles, Bob Dylan and Miles Davis have shaped my musical education. In 1970 I'm part of the nebula "Gong" and I struck up a friendship with Didier Malherbe, after a trip to Morocco in 1972 when I discovered Africa through the Gnawa music, my decision is to become a musician ... I play first with Alan Jack Civilization then with CRIUM Delirium in 1973 in order to offer me my first instrument (piano fender) I sell my cottage provencal. In 1974, I played with Jacques Higelin and Louis Bertignac with which I almost recorded the album "BBH" but the meeting with the band "West African Cosmos" will be decisive and abandoning the rock, I turned definitively towards African music: 1st Festival of Tabarka and recording an album with CBS, the "WAC" is a UFO group in the 70s ahead of the public popularity of African music in the 80s; Wasis Diop was part of this group and Ismael Toure, who will make a short appearance before founding Toure Kunda. from 1977 to 1982, tropical exile in Reunion Alain Peters, René Lacaille and Chameleons. I started a family and a group: "Carousel" to be a pioneer of new music Reunion; first collaboration with Danyel Waro and recording an album "Life is a mystery. "1982, back in France where I play with Antoine Tome, Didier Malherbe, Pierre Vassiliu and joined the caravan of Toure Kunda 1983; The group will know a huge success in France and made numerous international tours: 3 albums registered with the "live" Paris-Ziguinchor. In 1986, a reunion with Louis Bertignac who decided to stop "Telephone" and founded "The Visitors" with Corine, Afid, Serge and yours truly on keyboards. After 2 years of success based rock powerful and intensive promotion, I return to my first love by joining the group of Youssou N'Dour; recording the album "the Lion" with Peter Gabriel and DVD "Live in Montreux" Many tours including the unforgettable Amnesty International in 1988, I have the opportunity to share 3 months of happiness with Peter Gabriel, Sting, Bruce Springsteen, Tracy Chapman and a host of incredible musicians on stages worldwide. I then soon 40 years and I feel the time has come to devote myself to my music Released in 1993 a solo album, "Islands of the desert" (Tangram). Labor composition for the cinema (the Golden Ball, White d 'Ebony) work as an arranger and producer with Wasis Diop Amina, Ti Fock, Didier Malherbe, Diogal Rene Lacaille. Concerts and collaborations with Geoffrey Oryema, Jean Philippe Rykiel, Lokua Kanza, Houria Aichi, Jon Hassell, Sofi Hellborg, Richard Bona, Higelin, Danyel Waro, Gong, John Lurie ... Collaboration increasingly narrow with Didier Malherbe and work on new instruments: Hajouj (Gnawa bass), Kora (African harp). 1996 completion and production of 1 CD Hadouk group, duet with D Malherbe duo quickly became a trio with Steve Shehan; Realization and album production "Shamanimal" (99) "Now" (02) and "Utopia" (06); meantime the band recorded an album "Live at Fip (04) and a DVD" Live at the Satellit Café (04) Naïve parallel to my musical activities director and producer, I am since 2000, with drummer Karim Ziad and Maalem Abdeslam Alikanás the artistic director of the Essaouira festival, an event that is primarily devoted to the music of the Gnawa brotherhood and remains for me one of the largest music and learned that I know. Project group "Band of Gnawa" for the 10th anniversary festival of Essaouira with Louis Bertignac, Cyril Atef, and Said Akram Sedkaoui Boulhims a young Maalem Gnawa Essaouira .... May 2007 Hadouk trio received the Victoires du Jazz Group and Artist of the Year 2007! reward for the trio after 12 years of existence .. November 2007, Release CD / DVD (naive) "Baldamore" recorded live at Cabaret Sauvage in Paris; showcase the trio Hadouk New York in January 2008, we in America! Tour Band of Gnawa planned for July 2008. Also out in 2008 an album with D Malherbe based on a duet Kora / Flute: "The Wind in the Strings" to follow ..,