FRINGE 2016: Joyce N'Sana at #CJLOFringeTunes

There’s nothing like finding a treasure in your own backyard.

Joyce N’Sana was this year’s resident World artist at CJLO and though I heard her name and praise often, I never got around to listening to her music let alone see any of her performances.

Luckily this past Friday she was performing at the Montreal Fringe Festival as a part of the "CJLO Presents" music series and I was available to go check her out.

As soon as her blue-painted toes and bare feet touched the stage, I knew I was in for something real, something anchored, something rich. There was an energy around her body that filled the stage from left to right and commanded our attention though she had yet to sing a note.

Her set up was simple, herself as a sole vocalist and Jean-Michel Frédéric on the keys. This is quite an ambitious set up when you’re performing at an outdoor festival and competing with street noises but she seemed confident and I, in turn, had faith.

When she started her first track, I honestly had to take a moment for my brain to catch up with my emotions. I’ve seen many amazing performers over the years but its been a while since I’ve heard someone who gripped me in my guts before my mind and my ears knew what hit them. It is one thing to play and tune into ancestral rhythms but it is a very particular gift to carry ancestral voice, and Joyce N’Sana has that gift. Hearing her sing felt as though I was being called home and could tap into centuries of memory if I just listened hard enough.

When my mind finally caught up with my emotions I realized that she was not only favored with the gift of voice but also had skill and versatility that only comes from faithfully working your craft. In one moment she was channeling the deep raspy-ness of Janis Joplin, in the next she called on high heads notes of Erykah Badu, all while maintaining the rich tone of Salif Keita. Needless to say I was impressed. To top it all off, she’s a great performer who clearly really loves rocking a stage.

She had the audience mesmerized with her every move but was quick to share the spotlight with us all as she coached us through her call and response songs. She was amazing. As for her content, it’s always hard to really engage with lyrics at a festival show but from what I heard on Friday it’s clear that she’s an eloquent writer with beautiful and critical mind

I bought her EP, which I’ll have on repeat for the few days, and I’ll be able to give y’all more thoughts about that on my show Creators Chorus.

So ya, if you ever see Joyce N’ Sana name on a flyer…show up. Or at least pick up her EP on iTunes.

Till next time.

- MF

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Annick MF is part of CJLO's Official Fringe Team covering the sights and sounds from the 2016 St-Ambroise Montreal Fringe Festival. Together with Jess Glavina, she hosts Creators Chorus - every Wednesday afternoon from 5 – 6pm ET, only on 1690AM in Montreal and online at CJLO.com.