Helsinki-Cotonou Ensemble

Its leading lights are the Finnish guitarist Janne Halonen and the Beninese singer, percussionist and saxophonist Noël Saïzonou.

The history of the band had its origins in Janne Halonen’s interest in the music of the Beninese guitarist Lionel Loueke.

He sought a residency in Villa Karo in Benin, and before his trip to Africa he went to Gothenburg in order to see a concert by Herbie Hancock, because Loueke played in his band.

[2] They soon understood that in order to run a band on two continents they could not do it in a conventional way, with a record deal and a booking agent.

Together with local musicians, they practised daily, played three concerts and recorded and album called Beaucoup De Piment!, which was mixed and then released in Finland the following year.