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Tcheka & Modeste
@ the Purcell Room
18 November 2006
Photographs in order
of performance.
Click an image to enlarge.
Tcheka biography
Manuel Lopes Andrade, aka Tcheka, was born on 20
July 1973 in the Port of Ribeira Barca, Santa Catarina, district
of Santiago, Cape Verde archipelago. Tcheka’s introduction
to the stage came from performing alongside his father, Nho Raul
Andrade, a popular violinist at local functions. As his father was
a disciplined performer, Tcheka learned quickly and the young disciple
would soon develop his own style based on one of the islands most
popular beats ‘Batuque’ (originally played by women).
One of his earliest compositions, “Man’ba
des bes kumida dâ” clearly highlights Tcheka’s
potential, and desire to reach a wider audience.
Tcheka would eventually move to Praia, where he
worked as a cameraman for national television. This change of location
and initial choice of career involved travel, therefore broadening
the young man’s horizons. During his travels, Tcheka met journalist
Julio Rodrigues. The pair clicked immediately and went on to write
several songs, which they performed in the bars of the Cape Verdean
capital. The newly formed duo where joined by other musicians, Perry
(percussion) Kizo (bass) Robert Pemberton (flute) and more recently
Raul (percussion).
Tcheka continues to gain new ground in his quest
to bring the batuque beat to a wider audience. His concert at the
Purcell Room was lively and extremely well received by all.
Modeste biography
Modeste Hugues Randramahitasoa grew up in Betroka,
Southern Madagascar. Though his mother sings, and his uncle played
the accordion, it was the sound of his neighbour’s guitar
that caught his imagination. He explains;
“I didn’t start to play until I
was about 15 years old. A neighbour played the guitar and I loved
the sounds so much that I borrowed his and taught myself.”
After Modeste’s neighbour relocated, Modeste
was forced to make his own guitar in his father’s workshop
in the local technical college. Fishing line was used for strings.
This would mean the guitar had to be held very close to hear the
sound. Though Modeste admits the guitar was probably out of tune,
it would be good enough for him to practise on.
Modeste’s interest in other musical sounds
led him to experiment with other musical instruments, specifically
those of the mervan, the traditional Malagasy instrument, with its
box shape and 24 strings, which is played like the West African
Kora. Modeste also listened to the natural sounds around him, such
as birdcalls and whistling of the shepherds in the hills. He would
then attempt to imitate these sounds on his homemade guitar.
Modeste was encouraged by his father to continue
academic studies, so he studied engineering, and at 26 Modeste left
for Bulgaria where he was awarded a U.N.E.S.C.O scholarship to do
a post-graduate in electronic engineering.
Modeste worked hard at his studies, but always
found time for his music, and would continue performing at student
celebrations. He met his love, married and moved to Greece where
he worked as an engineer. By the time the couple moved to London
in 1996, Modeste had decided to pursue a career in music.
Modeste currently performs at festivals and clubs
in England, France and Madagascar.
“… I play every day myself for
at least 15 minutes. Any time life gets difficult and I feel angry
or frustrated or London becomes a bit too hectic, I just take up
my guitar and play. It keeps me cool.”
Musicians:
Tcheka – vocals & guitar
Modeste – vocals & guitar
Les Mommsen – guitar
Adriano Pinto - percussion
Adriano Adewale- percussion
Robin Francis
© Michael Valentine Studio
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