Tao Ravao

Tao Ravao, Malagasy multi-instrumentalist, writes, composes and performs. His instruments are traditional as well as modern: Valiha (Malagasy harp), Kabosy (Malagasy lute), Lapsteel (Hawaiian guitar), Litungu (Kenyan harp), Krar (Ethiopian harp), Dry guitar and bass.
Spiritual son of the legendary Bluesman Hosick-James, he starts as a "Folksinger" and learns to play banjo, mandolin and finally the guitar as soon as he arrives in Paris. At the age of 20, it is while listening to "Mr Bottleneck" alias Homesick-James, that his passion for the blues comes to him. He then decides to join his master in Chicago. There, he studies simultaneously the Blues and the traditional Malagasy musics. He plays with " Big Walter Horton ", Louisina Red, Eddie C.Campbell, Grady Gaines.
Tao Ravao accompanied the Valiha player Justin Vali on a world tour. He has also recorded numerous albums, provided artistic direction for musicians such as D'Gary, Jean-Emilien and Sengé, who received an award from RFI, and also composed for the theater, such as "Un jour, ma mémoire" by Michèle Rakotoson, "Noirs paradis" by R. Lykson and "Introspection" by P. Handke. He created Ny Malagasy orkestra, a meeting of the traditional masters of Malagasy music.