Maud Myra

The Afri-Frans album is part of the Afri-Frans project, which takes timeless Afrikaans songs of past decades, translates them into French, and emotionally records the lilting lyrics alongside the guitar, piano, violin, accordion, cello and percussion instruments. Owing to the success of the first project, further albums and countrywide performances, as well as shows at Afrikaans festivals are planned.

The Afri-Frans project was conceptualised by the formidable and highly-talented composer, jazz pianist, producer, sound engineer and entrepreneur, Matthys Maree . He has a limitless passion for France and also noticed South Africans' fascination with the romantic French culture. His own interest in all things French, and developing ways to portray the spirit of the Afrikaner abroad, led him to carry on with this project even though Maree had neither the backing of a major record producer, nor a marketing campaign to promote his vision. Yet, his musical instincts were spot on, as the Afri-Frans album recorded and released this year went gold within two weeks.

Maree has come up with a brilliant concept that he has exceptionally executed and by doing so has built a communication bridge between Afrikaans and French. His work has gripped the public's imagination and is, especially by South Africans, being passed on to family members now living abroad.

Maree says about Afri-Frans, “By translating our favourite music into foreign languages, we breathe new life into our own culture, listen to the same stories with new ears and give new life to songs that have enriched our lives for the past few decades.” He also says that he believes that people connect more with music and that it brings back not only past memories, but actual feelings associated with those past moments. This album is also a vehicle to that emotional connection.

The songs are modern and seductive and Maree's reworking of the music has made the songs within reach of today's generation. His ear for music has also enabled him to choose the right Afrikaans songs that fit the French “mood music” that he aimed to achieve in this project.

Maree has evened the playing field for Afrikaans music internationally, and while he enjoys being an accompanist and working musically behind the scenes, it seems that this “boereseun” will soon have to step into the spotlight as the identity and persona of Afri-Frans as the album reaches ever further.

The choice of French artist, Maud Rakotondravohitra (Maud Myra), to sing the French text was another genius idea of Maree's. Myra was introduced to Maree by German recording producer Matthias Heimlicher. With Myra as vocalist, Maree has successfully positioned the project in an open international arena rather than categorising the artist, music or location. Myra has also successfully made the songs on the Afri-Frans album her own. This extremely talented singer's clear and calming voice that is both velvety and rich in emotion, ensures that the songs are sung with an ardor and respect that the Afrikaans songs deserve. Her voice captures feeling and storyline, and so allows even non-French speaking people to follow the sentiments, like she does when singing Le piano de Lisa (Lisa se Klavier).

Born in Paris , France , to a Malagasy father and a Caribbean mother, Myra has sung alongside respected artists such as Celine Dion, Ron Kenoly, Johnny Hallyday and Mireille Mathieu. Her career started by singing in church and she still returns to these roots frequently. She is also a formidable jazz singer and has sung as a soloist with renowned jazz pianist Claude Bolling and the Jazz Big Band the Orchestre National Symphonique de France. Myra moved to Hamburg , Germany , where she now lives and where she was offered the role of ‘Nala' in Disney's hit broadway musical, ‘The Lion King'.

About the Afri-Frans project she says: “This beautiful project was a surprise for me. It was a wonderful adventure, because working with people from South Africa was so nice, and I came in touch with another culture by travelling through words and music and learning the history of the songs.”

Myra says that when she sings the lyrics she sees detailed images in her mind, which illustrate that these Afrikaans songs are strong in their meaning and imagery. It also shows that these songs have the ability to touch people everywhere in the world, even if the have no link to Afrikaans.

“The songs took me someplace else. Places I created and imagined, because I had never been to South Africa . It was such a beautiful experience. I would love to go to South Africa ,” concludes Myra

1. Enfants Que Vent Emporte
2. Cabane Dans L’orage
3. Tonton Avait Une Ferme En Afrique
4. Le Piano De Lisa
5. Jeannot
6. Épis D’eau
7. Chanson Du Vent
8. Au Loin Les Collines Ne Changent Guère
9. Côté Atlantique
10. Prière
11. Tout Bleu
12. Bas Karoo
13. Qui Sait ?