As a steady stream of snow filled the February night, Coup de Coeur conjured West African warmth for the full house gathered inside the Spadina Theatre for a special Black History Month concert, presented by Batuki Music Society and Alliance Française de Toronto.
Assembled four years ago by Batuki Music Society, the Montreal-based collective consists of Senegalese musicians Sadio Sissokho on kora, vocals and percussion, guitarist Assane Seck, singer Seydina Ndiaye, guitarist and vocalist Ilam and towering tama player Pape Ndiaye, rounded out by bassist Carlo Birri. The show followed a recent performance at the Redwood Theatre by Okavango African Orchestra, featuring the Juno Award-winning Sissokho and a guest appearance by Pape Ndiaye.
Sporting grins as bright as their traditional West African patterns, the skilled sextet wove soulful melodies and lively rhythms as they led the eager audience on a sonic safari through Senegal’s Wolof, Fulani and Manding regions.
Having sufficiently warmed up the house during their first set, Coup de Coeur returned after a brief intermission to an invigorated crowd that was clearly ready to dance. As they continued to turn up the heat, typically inhibited Torontonians were seen grooving in the aisles and joining in call and response with Seydina Ndiaye.
Coup de Coeur concluded their musical journey with an encore featuring the uplifting Fulani songs “Baye Sa Waar” (“Don’t Let Yourself Down”) and “Taara” (“Light”), sending the satisfied crowd off into the snow-covered streets infused with the spirit of Senegal.
Photography by Andy Lee
