Djokla

All the way from the Caribbean island of Martinique, the versatile music artist Djokla is a treasure worth discovering. His specialty: stomping rhythms, exploding grooves and melodies will both sooth your senses and compel you to dance – you just can’t help it.   Djokla aka Michael Latour has been a staple of bands, jamming with them as their pianist, keyboardist, backup singer, and musical arranger. He creates music in metropolitan France; name it, he’s done it – from music from Africa,...

All the way from the Caribbean island of Martinique, the versatile music artist Djokla is a treasure worth discovering. His specialty: stomping rhythms, exploding grooves and melodies will both sooth your senses and compel you to dance – you just can’t help it.   Djokla aka Michael Latour has been a staple of bands, jamming with them as their pianist, keyboardist, backup singer, and musical arranger. He creates music in metropolitan France; name it, he’s done it – from music from Africa, Brazil, the Caribbean, and genres such as reggae, ska, soul, funk, pop, blues, chanson francaise – he is insatiable! Having studied music in Strasburg, Djokla adds a European twist to his repertoire. He fashioned his musical personality on the stages of Europe from Milan, Prague, Bratislava, Berlin to of course, Fort de France and Paris.   The bands Djokla has joined have been invited to an array of events and festivals like Nancy Jazz Pulsations, Artefact Festival, Pop Komm Festival, Baladin Festival in Piozzo (Italy), New Morning, Orange Bleue, Senrier des Halles, and the most prestigious of all, by the Cannes Film Festival. Add to that, Djokla has been a valued musician when he performed with acts Salif Keita, Tiken Jah Fakoli, Olodum, Kali, and Yvon Anzala to name a few.   But now Djokla is setting out on his own with his first album ‘Le a rive!’ where he is the singer, chief songwriter, and arranger. Produced by OUJASAV Musique, ‘Le a rive!’ is Djokla’s debut in putting to music things he values most – love, friendship, hope, humor, and his life on a Caribbean island. Groove to the laidback sound of ‘Soulajé’ and then get on your feet and swivel your hips to ‘Reggadrille’. With ‘Le a rive!’ Djokla showcases his limitless energy, contagious beats, and delightful music.   With this much professional experience and live performances under his belt, Djokla presents himself as a confident and capable artist ready to take on the music world. No wonder: Djokla in Creole means ‘Strength’ and we should be thankful that there’s such an artist that makes us wonderfully weak in the knees.   Download Djokla’s album ‘Le a rive!’ at iTunes, distributed by JMD Records and INgrooves, a partner of Universal Music Group.