Last weekend, December 29th and 30th, I had lots of fun performing two unforgettable concerts with Cape Verdean singer Mariana Ramos and band: Maryl Abbas on Accordeon, Brice Essomba (sub for Toy Vieira) on Keys, Paulo Bouwman on Guitars, Thierry Jean-Pierre (JPgroove) on Bass and myself on Drums in the charming town of Chavagne (35), nestled in the heart of Brittany, France. The experience was a perfect blend of Cape Verdean music, warm hospitality, and the magic of connecting with wonderful people.
The Journey Begins
Our adventure began on Thursday, November 28th, as guitarist Paulo Bouwman—my long-time musical buddy with whom I often play and travel for different artists—picked me up (departing from Rotterdam) from my home in Bonheiden (BE) at around 20:00h. We set off toward Le Coudray-Montceaux, about one hour south of Paris, carefully planning our departure a little later in the evening to avoid the usual traffic congestions in Antwerp and Brussels. The drive gave us plenty of time to catch up on life and music, as we navigated through the quiet night toward our destination.
By 2:30 AM, we arrived at Mariana Ramos’ home: "Casa Verde", where her husband Dan greeted us warmly with a late-night snack. After a brief chat and some well-needed rest, we spent the following morning with coffee and rehearsing before hitting the road again—this time for a 4-hour drive to Chavagne.
Soundcheck and a Taste of Brittany
Upon arriving at the venue, Salle de l’ Entre 2 Rives, we were greeted by the fantastic sound engineer, Guillaume, who immediately set the tone with a flawless sound check. There’s something truly special about working with good technicians who ensure everything sounds balanced from the start—making the whole experience less energy consuming.
The dressing room was stocked with nice delicacies: sausages, cheeses, nice bread and of course, the Breton cake. It was the perfect way to feel instantly connected to the region.
Concert 1: A Full House and Full Hearts
By 20:00h, the venue was packed full of music enthusiasts, and we took the stage for the first performance of the weekend. The crowd was dancing, clapping, and singing along. There's nothing quite like the energy of a crowd that’s fully immersed in the music; it truly elevates the performance. After the show, we shared a meal on a large family table with the volunteers who had worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make this event happen. Their dedication and passion were palpable, and their warm hospitality made us feel like we were part of the Chavagne family.
Rest and Round Two
The band split up for the night, with some of us staying at different hosts’ homes. I was lucky enough to spend the night with Pierre—an IT technician by day and a drummer in the spare time. Over a hearty breakfast the next morning, we dove into conversations about music, life, and art (with my best French in tow).
At noon, the whole band gathered for a delightful lunch at a local traiteur, savoring some of Brittany’s finest delicacies. Afterward, a well-deserved siesta was in order before a little warm up around 18:00 for the second concert.
By 20:00h, we were back on stage for the second concert, which turned out to swing even more. The audience was just as enthusiastic, the energy even higher, and the groove even deeper. The synergy between the band and the crowd was undeniable—pure musical magic. Once again, we capped off the evening with more fantastic food and lively conversation.
Hitting the Road Again
After another delicious dinner at the big, long family table, we hit the road back to Le Coudray-Montceaux at 01:30h. The drive was foggy and a bit sleepy (at least for the passengers), but we managed to navigate the winding roads and arrived back at Casa Verde by 05:00h, just in time for the crowing of the rooster. A few hours of rest later, me and Paulo resumed our journey home, to Bonheiden and for Paulo to Rotterdam afterwards.
Back in Bonheiden, me and Paulo meet up my wife, and we closed the weekend together with a traditional Belgian dish—mussels in garlic cream sauce with fries. It was the perfect way to end what had been a beautiful musical journey.
Reflections on the Weekend
The weekend in Chavagne was a beautiful reminder of what it truly means to be a musician. It’s not just about the music—it’s also about the connections we make with people, the joy of sharing a meal, and the privilege of performing with a band that feels like family.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone in Chavagne who made this weekend so nice. Here’s to more adventures, more music, and—of course—more delicious food!
Life is good… 🎶
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