that's good news!

I have just come back to Ziguinchor. As I cross the door of the red house, Joel falls in my arms, then Bolo. “And Chloe? And the children?” He asks very quickly, I tell him that I have experienced 15 days of a condensed life as if I was in a movie, or in a novel, each page full of thrills, a greater life, king size.

In Casablanca’s airport I had some time to think about what was at stake with this trip. My multidimensional love for Chloe was about to recover its so divinely physical one, and would have to embrace my 2 sons I haven’t seen for nearly 1 year and a half, plus Chloe’s daughter that I didn’t meet so far, if we except the small words we have exchanged some times, through the magical electronic mirror, dreamt by Cocteau long ago. It was Christmas time even in Casablanca, I was there like in an airlock between 2 distant worlds, temperature has made a fall of 10°C., I had a few time to acclimate myself to the new conditions, before meeting the big family, mine and Chloe’s one, Christmas time!

Here I was freshly landed in Paris Orly’s Airport, out of the little glass maze I could see her at last, she was there standing at the very end of the long path of rope, surrounded by a ghostly and blurred honor guard. It was a furtive glimpse; I couldn’t bear to hold this sight too long, I bow my head as I was changing hand to carry my heavy bag. I was arrived at last, at the end of the path. I raised my eyes and I saw hers, my mouth met hers, and my eyes closed by an overwhelming wave of bliss were both released and tamed. Our hands were still bound as we got in the cab, we crossed Paris from south to North, it was snowing, Christmas time.

We got to her place, hidden in a secret lane which once had been the hideout of Jacques Mesrine the famous French public enemy number 1 of the 70’s, and I instantly felt comfortable in this cozy home where every thing is chosen without being pretentious; there was nothing conventional or bourgeois, It was like I was in the countryside very far from Barbès.

the secret lane

We have got together much further than the first time we met, but like we parted the day before, and soon we lost the sense of time in a slice of eternity; our speed, our moment! So good that it might have been a stolen one.

The next morning the jitters were playing with my heart pinching it; we were on the way to pick Chloe’s daughter up, who had slept at one’s of her friends of the secret lane. As I walked up the stairway thinking that for this little girl, this first Christmas without her father would not be an easy one, I knew that at the top of the stairway in the middle of the chaotic profusion of conflicting feelings, no seduction but truth would be the only way to reach her, and that it would take time to connect with her. We got to the top, and it was Art, her little sparkling friend who encountered us first, soon followed by Poppée, “Hi kids!” “Hii!” Then the 2 kids ran inside, the introduction was made.

Inside we talked a bit with Art’s father, a very gentle dreamy look always-young man. Poppée was playing with Art scrutinizing me while I was chatting observing her. Bye Art and gentle dreamy father, we were then on our way to pick the boys crossing Paris southbound subway, a rather long moment, we were both very shy, Chloe was smiling to us, not much talks. At the terminus, at the end of the tunnel, the boys were standing but I could not distinguish them clearly because of the backlighting.

There we got at last! Falling in each other arms in a strong and long hug. They have changed so much! Gaspard will be soon a young man, and Alsene is now a sturdy boy with large hands. A little chat with Constance is very friendly, a short one, we were very short on time with new foundations to build, each minute was vital. The kids connected each other almost instantly, and the long way back northbound seemed much shorter. We were all happy to be there with one another, many smiles, few talks; we were all enthusiastic and eager to build our new intimacy. In the hidden house of the secret lane, Poppée was very welcoming, she introduced us to her world and then games, giggles, tickles, and loud laughing came rapidly.

Late at night, Chloe and I talked a long time about how weird all fits so naturally; love is so profound! staring into Chloe’s eyes is like plunging in a never ending opposite mirror, a swan dive into a magical bottomless passage to a parallel high vibrating cosmos. So powerful! An irresistible wave overwhelming all of us.

It’s been a couple of days since I came in this house, and I began to feel the shadow of the Man. Alsene came very close to me as I was laying alone on the sofa. “I’ve seen some Victoire musical awards” he whispered, “there are several”. I had seen these awards myself before, but I looked away when my eyes crossed them, I wasn’t prepared for that, I wasn’t ready for this kind of dialogue. “You see, Poppée’s father was a great artist he passed away not long ago, people liked him very much, his name is Alain Bashung, we will listen to him soon”.

When I arrived in the house, Chloe brought out one of his guitar, a black acoustic Gibson. I played, not long. One morning I woke up very early, I was thinking about all this, I went downstairs, checked out my e-mails, and I played with Poppée’s little guitar, I didn’t want to take one of his, I’d rather not play at all, Bashung is a grand, he’s beside Trenet, Gainsbourg, a true universal and popular talent, they have struck their time, and became standard themselves with their various periods. I saw a cover sleeve of Johnny Kidd, and a picture of Charles Trenet standing close together. “J’sens comme un vide remets moi Johnny Kidd… Tu veux qu’j’te chante la mer le long, le long des golfes pas très clairs” It was in the first Bashung’song I’ve known, untitled “Gaby, oh Gaby”, my mother’s first name… It comes full circle… I loved Poppée very quickly and she expressively adopted me the 3^rd day. One night, after another slice of eternity and weightlessness, we got down to the kitchen. “How did you know it would match to perfection? When you heard my name, how did you know that it was I? It’s mad! Who are you Chloe? You’re so special!” “I don’t know, when I heard your name during this preview, I told myself ‘that man is for me’, I knew that it was you, I had to see you!” I told her what I felt about the Man, and his daughter the responsibility that it implies… Silence… an angel is passing by, and suddenly Chloe’s phone rang in the middle of the advanced night. It was a message from one of Bashung’s closest friends, Chloe doesn’t know him very well, but he is always there for important moments. It was said, “Happy Christmas, the most beautiful thought will come from the sky.” We smiled and blended in a long and deep kiss.

Chloe Has taught Alsene to play a blues on the Ukulele, Gaspard played piano, Poppée was dreaming in her inner world with her puppets, everyone found its place naturally, it seemed that we all felt comfortable with this high tempo. I met some of Chloe’s best friends, the sensitive Karl and Yann her guitar player; she met mine, the noble Gi, and my old pal Pierre, we had Gaspard’s age when he talked to me with enthusiasm about Gaby, Bashung’song.

We were in the subway southbound once again, on our way for Christmas Eve. Chloe was a little anxious, we are of the same kind, we both have an attractive and repulsive effect on people, I knew what she felt at this moment and I remained close. Each minute counts, during this evening I saw babies I didn’t know, the core of the clan without the parents gone far in this big world, it was full of childish willingness, and therefore quite joyful.

Gomis' clan uncomplete

We left and talked about our impressions, each detail matched, her vision of the world combining with mine encircles our whole reality. We had not slept very long that night, and the morning after, we were all of us as a pack of hounds, inside “la Gare du nord” the northern railroad station, going to Lille, Chloe’s hometown. This time it was my turn to feel a small pressure. On the train, and in all our moves, we’re a family.

Lille is a colorful and smart city; freshly arrived we went with Chloe’s parents Philippe and Dominique, at Chloe’s grandfather’s place. Pope is a charming old man with an indefectible smile and smooth sparkling blue eyes. He loves art, painting, photos, many different genres of good music, he’s the opposite of a snob, he’s just passionate, and his woman is very welcoming. Philippe was saying some adult jokes to make the children comfortable and they laughed sincerely, we all had a pleasant moment.

Then we came back to Philippe and Dominique’s place, a very special one, they both are art collector for more than 30 years and their house, an ex-factory, is like a special museum where 3 worlds have a permanent conversation: India, Africa, and medium art. Africa and India are the 2 lands that attract me the most; I recognized books and records I owned, before leaving and giving them to Pierre. The day after, the big family would be there for the Mons Christmas lunch. In the morning, I found an Indian sitar I’ve been dreaming to touch for so many years, and it was a revelation! I played a long time and it contributed to deeply relax myself.

Chloe’s big family is a very mild one, everyone is kind and nice and very welcoming so far, far from some hazing I had known once, in another life.

At the end of the day, the kids were running altogether in a sensual ballet, playing with water spray bottles; they were gifted and very happy of their day. The day after, we took the road to the sea with Chloe’s parents. Cap Gris-Nez; Cap Blanc-Nez, just in front of England so close. Who said that North is sad? Who wrote, “Northern people have in the eye the blue they miss in their landscape”? Bullshit! This land is graceful! and its unbelievably huge range of colors is restlessly changing.

I quickly felt at ease with Philippe and Dominique, I could really be myself without being judged, and that is so precious, any distant or affected manner would be inappropriate. We have made some good walks altogether, and watched good movies, we have shared good moments, dense and special, and then time has come to get back to Paris. Poppée, Philippe and Dominique had stayed, and we left with the boys.

Philippe

Dominique

Time for goodbye, for strong and long hugs with some teardrops from the boys still children.

We have made a very long way altogether. Last walks in the streets of Paris, we were king and queen of an archaic kingdom, so powerful and vital.

Snap! I’m in Dakar, my father was happy to see me, I told him that for the first time of my life, I feel like a married man, that I’m ready now. “That’s good news papa!” he said, and it immediately reminded me Gaspard who hugged me one of these fresh evenings to say good night, and told me “You’ve got married my son, that’s good news!” Isn’t it weird?

more pics

des pépites d'or

Nous sommes très content d’enregistrer, le plaisir est réel et nous sommes fier des premiers résultats, c’est comme si les génies de Casamance nous soufflent des airs à l’oreille, nous sommes bénis, inspirés. C’est tellement énorme que nous ne pouvons pas mixer ça comme il faut, trop gros pour nous ! Nous avons besoin de l’aide d’un ingénieur du son pour faire de cette jungle sonore des morceaux maîtrisés. Des musiciens sont venus écouter notre travail, la magie et le charme des mots et des notes a agi sur leur esprit, ils nous appellent les nouveaux sorciers.

Le responsable de la coopération Française à Ziguinchor est venu, a écouté les titres, et nous a dit qu’il demandera à sa hiérarchie de nous soutenir.

Nous savons que le chemin est long pour finir cet album, mais nous savons aussi que nous sommes sur la bonne piste, et nous sommes heureux de la suivre. Il semble que toutes nos vies nous conduit sur ce chemin. Nous avons tous beaucoup souffert pour en arriver là, et nous savourons cet instant exceptionnel, nous goûtons chaque seconde conscient de leur importance.

Bolo a commencé le mois dernier les cours de Français à l’Alliance Franco – Sénégalaise. Il a rencontré de nouvelles têtes, un Italien, un Anglais, quelques Guinéens. Il prend cette nouvelle étape de sa vie avec beaucoup de sérieux, et je suis très heureux pour lui et très fier de sa réaction.

Maintenant je loue toute la maison, Bolo dort maintenant dans les nouveaux appartements. J’espère que j’aurai bientôt l’argent pour monter un studio dans cette partie de la maison, che sera sera…

J’éprouve ma foi ; quelque chose doit arriver !

Nous avons mixé les morceaux comme nous avons pu, je me prépare à partir à Dakar, puis après quelques jours, je m’envolerai vers Paris, vers mes enfants, vers mon grand amour Chloé, pour un Noël vibrant et étincelant dans la ville lumière.

Ça fait presque 2 ans que je ne suis pas retourné dans la ville qui m’a vu naître, cette fois je reviens avec des pépites d’or pour ceux que j’aime.

some gold nuggets

We are very glad to record, the pleasure is real and we are proud of the first results, it is like the genies of Casamance are whispering tunes in our ears, we are blessed and inspired. It is so huge that we cannot mix them properly, too big for us! We need a helping sound engineer to make mastered tracks of this jungle of sound. Some musicians have come and listened to our work, they all have felt the spell of the notes and words acting on their mind, they call us the new sorcerers.

The man at the head of the French cooperation in Ziguinchor has come and has listened to the tracks and told us that he will ask his hierarchy to support us. We know it is a long way to finish an album, but

we know also that we are on the right track, and we are so happy to follow it! It seems that all our lives have conducted us to this path. We have all suffered to get there, and we all relish this special moment, we taste each second knowing its importance.

Bolo has started his French course last month at the Franco-Senegalese Alliance. He has met new people there, an Italian, an

Englishman, some Guinean people. He is taking this new stage very seriously, and I’m very happy for him and proud of his reaction.

Now I rent the whole house, Bolo is now sleeping in the other part of it. I hope that I will have soon the money to make a studio, in this part of the house, che sera sera…

I face my faith; something‘s got to happen!

We roughly mixed the tunes we made, I’m preparing

myself to go to Dakar, and then after a few days, I’ll fly to Paris to my children, to my beautiful love Chloe, for a sparkling and vibrant Christmas in the city of light.

It has been nearly 2 years that I haven’t been in my hometown, this time I’m coming back with gold nuggets for my beloved.

Love revolution now! fr

notre chapelle

Tout a changé depuis le mois dernier ! J’ai atteint un palier spirituel plus élevé sans le rechercher. Je ne le recherchais pas car je ne le voyais pas de la sorte auparavant et ignorais donc sa vraie nature. Jusqu’au jour de mon départ pour l’Afrique, j’ai appris à connaître ce que je ne veux pas être, ce que je ne suis pas. Depuis que j’ai atterri ici, j’apprends à être ce que j’ai choisi d’être, à connaître qui je suis vraiment. Et puis la peur jour après jour a commencé à s’évanouir, la sérénité tient la place, et presque le bonheur, il semble maintenant que je me préparais à quelque chose de plus essentiel. Quand la peur s’en va, l’Amour s’en vient, j’ai appris à ne pas avoir peur de l’Amour, et Chloé est venue à moi. Notre rencontre précédée par 3 mois de belles lettres inspirées, fût un rituel néo-païen, une célébration enchantée. Pendant 7 jours et nuits, dans une chambre ardente, comme une chapelle suspendue au-dessus de la mer respirante, elle fut le soleil, je fus la lune, et les étoiles notre famille. Ensemble nous étions, nous sommes Dieu ! Elle est l’Eve de l’aube des temps, la prêtresse sacrée qui a le secret de l’ultime connaissance. J’ai pris sa main et je célèbre avec elle ma nouvelle naissance. Alter Ego, âme concordante et correspondante, tu fais s’envoler mon ego dans des zones éthérées où l’air est rare, et l’amour, inconditionnel, le transcende. Tout a changé ! Maintenant ! la révolution de l’Amour !

Patrice et Chloé

J’ai rencontré de nouveaux musiciens, Jean-Paul Tendeng, surnommé Longuenza est très grand, comme son nom l’indique. Il a une profonde voix de basse, et il chante depuis sa plus tendre enfance dans les belles chorales locales. C’est aussi un bon percussionniste, et il peut chanter en jouant. Il vit juste à côté, et il vient très souvent dans la petite maison rouge. J’ai acheté 3 tambours Diola bougarabou, et Richard Tendeng a fabriqué sur mesure une belle structure métallique pour les maintenir. Le soir donc nous chantons avec Joël et Longuen sur des rythmes Diolas, je ne comprends pas tout ce que je chante, et bien souvent je me contente de fredonner. C’est bien comme ça, j’ai le temps pour ça.

Longuenza

Puis Joël est parti quelques jours nous représenter à la fête du roi et il est revenu avec des images très fortes. Le roi sait tout, il nous demande de nous attacher à chanter un message positif.

J’ai rencontré Viviane Tendeng, elle n’étais pas pressée de venir ici, trop de tristes histoires avec de faux musiciens mais de vrais mauvais garçons. Elle est arrivée et j’ai compris, elle très jolie et très attractive, nous n’avons pas beaucoup parlé, j’aime sa voix forte et fragile, elle me touche le cœur ! Nous avons chanté ensemble avec joie, puis dîner, puis ri, elle fait maintenant partie de la famille. Nous avons commencé à enregistrer, et l’expérience elle-même est un moment savouré, chaleureux et nourrissant. Tout a changé, le philtre de l’amour nous permet de voir la vie dans sa réelle dimension, le faire plus important que le résultat, et la paix notre véritable demeure. « Cette maison est spéciale, tu vois, de bonnes personnes viennent tous les jours, c’est très bon signe » dit Joël.

Vivianne Tendeng

C’est vrai que nous ressentons la paix dans cette maison rouge même si ça devient un peu étroit. 2 hommes sont venus, pour s’enquérir de l’autre moitié de la maison toujours vacante. Avec des voisins aussi proches, ça ne sera pas la même histoire, nous le savons et nous n’aurons plus cette possibilité de nous agrandir. Donc après 2 ou 3 jours de fausses réflexions, j’ai décidé de prendre et louer cette autre moitié, j’ai appelé le propriétaire, nous allons l’investir le mois prochain.

Ce mois-ci, j’ai été heureux de travailler avec Maaike Cotterink, une vive et souriante jeune femme hollandaise du programme PECCS (voir l’article précédent). Elle m’aide beaucoup, et nous avons rédigé ensemble mon meilleur dossier jamais écrit, et j’étais fier de l’envoyer. Elle est le tuteur qu’il me fallait, pour m’aider à transmettre et à expliquer au mieux ce que j’ai l’intention de faire.

Ce qui était ennuyeux naguère devient une nouvelle expérience, une nouvelle opportunité. Des changements majeurs ont lieu maintenant. Nous sommes bénis ; c’est le bonheur.

« Bonheur seulement réel si partagé » Christopher McCandless

Love revolution now! en

our chapel

Everything has changed since last month! I reached a higher spiritual step without looking for it. I wasn’t looking for it because I didn’t really see it like this before, and thus I ignored its real nature. Until the day of my departure to Africa, I learned to know what I don’t want to be, who I am not. Since the day I landed here, I learn to be what I chose to be, and I learn to know who I actually am. And then, fear has begun to fade day-by-day, coolness instead, and almost happiness, it seems now I was preparing myself for something else, something essential. If fear goes, Love comes, and I learned to not fear Love, then Chloe came to me. Our meeting preceded by 3 months of beautiful inspired letters, was like a neopagan, enchanted ritual. During 7 days and nights, in a mystical and chapel like room hanging over the breathing sea, she was the sun, I was the moon, and the stars our family, together, we were, we are God! She is Eve from the dawn of time, the holy priestess who knows the secret of life. I took her hand and with her I celebrate my new birth. Alter Ego, corresponding soul, you make my ego fly, in ethereal zones where air is rare and Love, unconditional Love transcend it. Everything has changed! Love revolution now!

Patrice et Chloé

I met some new musicians, Jean-Paul Tendeng, best known as Longenza, is tall, as his name tells. He has a deep bass voice, and sings since his early childhood in choirs. He’s a good traditional drummer too, and can sing while playing. He’s living next door, so he comes very often to the red little house.

I bought some percussion instruments, 3 bougarabou Diola hand drums, and Richard Tendeng had put together a specially well-designed metallic structure to hold it. Then we sing together with Joel and Longen, on Diola rhythms, I don’t get the whole thing, I’m humming or I repeat words I don’t understand. That’s good this way; I have time for that!

Longenza

Then Joel has gone to the king traditional annual festival to represent us and came back with strong images. The king knows everything, he ask for us to sing positives messages.

I met Viviane Tendeng, she wasn’t very hurry to come here, too many sad stories with fake musicians, but true bad guys. She came and I understood, she’s very pretty, and very attractive. We didn’t talk much, I love her voice solid and frail at the same time, it touches my heart! We sung along with joy, then we lunched and laughed, she’s now a part of the family.We have started to record, and the experience itself is a savored, warm and nourishing moment. Everything has changed, the filter of Love is allowing us to see the real dimension of life, doing is more important than results, and peace is our natural home. “This house is special, you see, good people are coming everyday, that’s a very good sign” said Joel.

Viviane Tendeng

That’s true that we feel peace in this red house, even if it is becoming a bit small. 2 men have come, they asked for the other half of the house still vacant. With neighbors so close, that won’t be the same story, we know it, and we won’t have this possibility to extend no more, so after 2 or 3 days of fake thinking, I decided to take and rent the other half of the house, I phone the owner, and we will get in it next month.

This month, I was happy to work with Maaike Cotterink, a smart, smiling, and dynamic Dutch young lady from the PECCS program (see the former post). She’s very helping, with her we wrote my best presentation ever, and I was proud to send it. She’s the perfect coach I needed, to help me to transmit and explain what I intend to do.

What was boredom before had become a new experience, a new opportunity. Major changes are going on right now. We’re blessed; this is bliss. “Happiness only real when shared.” Christopher McCandless

un petit voyage qui mène loin

Je suis de retour d’un petit voyage qui m’a mené loin. J’avais plusieurs rendez-vous avec plusieurs messagers. Chacun avec son message particulier, chacun est important, tous me pointent du doigt. J’ai rencontré de nouvelles personnes, et d’autres que je connaissais déjà, et alors je suis resté seul un instant, j’ai éclairé quelque zone sombre que je me suis efforcé de regarder en face. Il est temps maintenant de se jeter à l’eau, temps d’accorder les belles phrases à la vie réelle, de devenir enfin ce que je prétends être, l’heure de vérité.

Les nouveaux messagers parlent de création, de réalisation, de détermination, et d’action. La 1^e est une femme française charismatique qui semble sortir d’une mythologie moderne. Elle est tellement présente qu’elle rayonne. C’est une artiste, une chanteuse, une actrice, a une fine plume et un regard affûté ; elle a parcouru le monde et rencontré des hommes remarquables. Elle se nomme Chloé MONS, ça sonne mythologique non ? Quoi qu’il en soit, notre communication est tellement naturelle que c’est aussi troublant qu’une sensation de déjà-vu. Avec juste quelques mots inattendus lancés spontanément, elle a déjà confirmé que certaines options que j’ai choisies sont bien les bonnes, et j’ai instinctivement confiance en son jugement.

www.chloemons.com

Chloé Mons Photo : Delphine Kreuter

Le deuxième messager est un homme charismatique lui aussi, grand et mince, sans âge, et plein d’énergie, il est habité par son rêve et sa vision. Il se nomme Gérard CHENET, il est haïtien, poète, écrivain, sculpteur et bâtisseur. La lumière de son regard doré est pénétrante mais bienveillante. Ce grand homme a accompli beaucoup de choses. Il a construit l’ « Espace Sobo Badé », un lieu qui réussit une symbiose entre tourisme et art, à 50 Km de Dakar au bord de la mer, dans une architecture très personnelle et inspirée. www.espacesobobade.com Il relève un nouveau défi, il est sur le point de finir de bâtir un nouvel espace culturel pour produire des événements professionnels de haute qualité. Je suis allé visiter le chantier très avancé, et c’est un fantastique petit royaume au milieu de la brousse luxuriante en cette saison, de ce paysage vallonné. La scène est un vaste cercle, ample et profond, avec 2 balcons suspendus de part et d’autre, toujours dans cette architecture qu’il améliore sans cesse. Gérard est un exemple et une source d’inspiration pour moi. Il me montre qu’on peut réaliser ses rêves les plus ambitieux.

Gérard Chenet Photo : www.arts-are-essential.org

J’ai déjà rencontré le 3^e messager. Notre projet vient juste d’être sélectionné par le PECCS. C’est un programme financé par l’Agence Espagnole de Coopération Internationale au Développement (AECID), et dirigé par INTERARTS, une fondation privée espagnole basée à Barcelone, et l’Association des Métiers de le Musique (AMS), une des plus importantes organisations professionnelles du secteur culturel du Sénégal.

Ce programme a déjà été expérimenté en Amérique latine. Nous allons être encadrés et conseillés sur les questions juridiques, de gestion, et la recherche de financements. Nous sommes mis en réseau avec des organisations qui travaillent dans des domaines complémentaires, producteurs, managers, tourneurs, vidéastes, photographes, styliste etc. Le message est clair, tient toi prêt à t’y mettre.

La 4^e et dernière messagère n’est pas la moindre. C’est une délicate jeune femme, élégante et raffinée, fraîche et vive. Je l’ai déjà décrite et parlé d’elle dans un article précédent, je l’appelle Miss Willis. Elle m’a invité à prendre mes responsabilités dans tous les aspects de ma vie, et je lui en suis très reconnaissant. Ça n’a pas été facile bien sûr, mais j’ai combattu mes peurs et mes résistances, et je me sens beaucoup plus libre maintenant, donc plus fort. J’ai découvert que l’engagement libère ; je suis en accord, équilibré, en harmonie. C’est important avant de composer de la musique non ? Merci Miss, merci à tous les messagers.

a little trip that leads far

I’m back from a little trip that led me far away. I had several appointments with several messengers. Each one with his specific message, each one is important, all of them are pointing their finger at me. I met new people, and some I already know, and then I stayed alone for a while, I’ve lighted up some dark zone I was forced to face. Now it’s time for the real thing, time to accord the nice sentences with true life, to become at last what I’m claiming to be, the moment of truth.

The new messengers are talking about, creation, realization, determination, and action. The 1^st one is a charismatic French woman that seems to come from a modern mythology. She is so present that she irradiates. She’s an artist, a singer, an actress, has a fine writing style, and a sharp look; she has traveled around the world, and met remarkable people. Her name is Chloé MONS, isn’t it sounding mythological? Anyway our communication is so natural that it’s confusing like a déjà vu sensation. With just a few unexpected words said spontaneously, she’s already confirmed that some options I have chosen are the good ones and I instinctively trust her judgment.

www.chloemons.com

Chloé Mons Photo : Delphine Kreuter

The 2^nd new messenger is a tall and thin charismatic ageless man, full of energy, and inhabited by his dream and his vision. His name is Gerard CHENET is Haitian, poet, writer, sculptor, and a builder. The light of his golden eyes is penetrating but benevolent. This great man has accomplished many things. He has built the “Espace Sobo Bade” which is a place that combines art with tourism, 50 km away from Dakar by the sea, within a personal and inspired architectural style. www.espacesobobade.com He has a new challenge, he’s on the verge of finishing the building of a new cultural complex for professional artists performances. I went to visit the advanced building site, and it’s a fantastic little realm in a middle of the luxuriant bush, on this rainy season, of this undulating landscape. The stage is a huge circle large and deep, with 2 balconies suspended on each side, always with this particular architectural style that he still keeps on improving. Gerard is an example and a source of inspiration to me. He shows me that we can fulfill our more ambitious dreams.

Gérard Chenet Photo : www.arts-are-essential.org

I have already met the 3^rd messenger. Our project has just been selected by PECCS, a program financed by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AECID) and run by INTERARTS a private Spanish agency based in Barcelona, and AMS one of the most important Senegalese professional organization in the cultural field. This program has already been experimented in Latin America. We will be helped and advised for the legal aspects, the management, and the financial research aspect. We are networked with complementary people that work in production of events, touring, booking, videos, communication and photo. The message is clear, get ready to do it.

Last but not least, the 4^th messenger is a delicate young woman, elegant, fresh and smart. I have already described and talked about her in a precedent post, I call her Miss WILLIS. She invited me to take my responsibility in all the features of my life, and I gratefully thank her for this. Of course it haven’t been very easy, but I fought my fears and my resistances, and I feel much more free now, stronger then. I discovered that commitment can help to totally free us, and now I feel clean as we say here, in tune, balanced, harmonized. It’s important before composing music isn’t it? Thanks to her, thanks to all the messengers.