Celenod

As part of the “New Caledonia New Zealand Season 2007”, Kanéka band Celenod return to New Zealand to perform two shows at Nelson Arts Festival, and three shows at Tauranga Arts Festival.

Celenod belongs to the new generation of Kanak musicians whose music is a mix of dance percussion (bamboo, leaves and wood percussion), acoustic guitar arpeggios, polyphonic vocals inherited from religious choirs and recent instruments such as drums, bass and keyboards. Created in 2002 by Wayo Wagada and Sinod Wadra, Celenod is based in Maré, one of the three Loyalty Islands. Celenod is a six piece band comprising two singers who also play acoustic guitar, one lead acoustic guitarist, a percussionist, and a rhythm section musician (drums and bass). The sole electric instrument – the bass – is quite discreet and retains the acoustic mood of the music.

Celenod released their first album Coweli in 2005, which immediately won them many fans in New Caledonia and Maré island’s Trophées de la Musique Award.

In 2006 Celenod won a major prize at the local 9 semaines et 1 jour (nine weeks and a day) event, created by RFO, the French TV station for its overseas territories. They were subsequently invited to play at the Festival des Francofolies de La Rochelle in France.

Booking details for Celenod

Celenod CDs

Celenod CDs are available from Marbecks www.marbecks.co.nz

Previous Celenod shows

Saturday 17 March – 4:00pm, Sunday 18 March – 1:00pm, WOMAD 2007, Taranaki

Celenod images