“Discovering GwoKa” RUDDY BOA 5T “Echoes of the Plaza: GwoKa Resonance”

8.00 pm – Discussion session: ‘Discovering GwoKa’ –
An iconic and foundational form of music in Guadeloupe, GwoKa has been passed down from generation to generation, from the painful days of slavery to the present day. Through the sound of voices, the beat of the drums and the passion of the dance, it expresses the very essence of this archipelago and its people. To discuss its history, its evolution and its traditional and modern practice, Ruddy Boa invites us to a discussion session moderated by Franck Salin (journalist, director and writer) in the presence of a panel of passionate artists. 
 

10.00 pm – Concert: RUDDY BOA QUINTET ‘Echoes of the Plaza: GwoKa Resonance’ – 
Led by pianist Ruddy Boa, this project is an invitation to discover or rediscover Gwo-Ka, an iconic rhythm of Guadeloupe, in a new light. Following on from ‘Tribute to Lockel & GwoKa Modèn’, this concert continues a musical journey that began in 1969, when Gérard Lockel introduced the Ka drum to the stage of the Le Plaza Cinema-Theatre. It was a revolution: Gwo-Ka broke free from its traditional confines to become a boundless source of inspiration.

With ‘Echoes of the Plaza: GwoKa Resonance’, Ruddy Boa and his musicians are pushing the boundaries even further. Featuring original compositions and tributes to major figures such as Robert Oumaou (GwaKaSonné) and Kafé, this project blends GwoKa with other musical worlds: the contemporary jazz of Kris Davis, Vijay Iyer and Danilo Pérez.

It is also a rare opportunity to (re)discover the Karuka, a unique instrument devised by Ruddy Boa as a tribute to Gérard Lockel’s Gwadlouka. A vibrant experience, where tradition and modernity come together to create an unforgettable resonance.