To honor the memory of the Franco-Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango, the city of Champigny-sur-Marne named, this Wednesday, June 21, the auditorium of the Olivier Messiaen Conservatory in his name. A tribute to the artist who had lived for twenty years in Champigny, his city of heart, when he died of the coronavirus in March 2020. What better way to celebrate his work than on the day of the music festival? Three years after his death, the municipality chose this special day to pay tribute to him. Animations and musical performances of all kinds were on the program of the first day of summer. From the music of the teachers and students of the conservatory to the tribute concert in the auditorium just named, the Campinois were gathered around this lover of the town.
Music and good summer mood
The musical proposals of the students of the conservatory, young and old, and their teachers opened the festivities. Jazz is honored in almost all its forms. Marie D'Anna, professor of saxophone, jazz and contemporary music at the city's conservatory, narrates the multicultural history of this musical genre "ultimately little known to the French." From African influences to American tunes, the curious were able to enjoy a glimpse of jazz variants, which is not limited to saxophone solos alone. At the end of this musical journey, surprise question for the children and their parents. From jazzy covers of Charles Aznavour's "La Bohème" to Amy Winehouse's "Back to black," there was something for everyone. Enough to launch the continuation of hostilities...
Champigny-sur-Marne, June 21, 2023. The students of the conservatory, adults and children, performed at the special evening Manu Dibango at the Olivier Messiaen Conservatory in Champigny-sur-Marne. LP/Zena Serhal
"When you don't dream anymore, you're no more"
The second part of the evening begins after the inauguration ceremony of the Manu Dibango auditorium. His family, friends and closest associates were present. And for this tribute concert to "our Papa Groove", the auditorium is packed.
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The jazz concert organized by three members of Manu Dibango's orchestra is above all a moment of sharing "for a great musician and friend who watches us from above." His musicians add: "We miss him a lot, but his music is still there." To the rhythm of "Soul Makossa", "Big Blow", "Baobab Sunset" or "Soma Loba", the artists ignited the room. Enough to put a smile back on their faces. "This is the opening of a new page," they conclude, very moved.
For the municipality, the name of this auditorium bears a strong symbol. "That the Campinois can benefit from the influence of Manu Dibango, as his city and his neighborhood made him shine." To his last manager, Claire Diboa, to pay him a final tribute: "Manu said that when you no longer dream, you are no more. This sentence summed up his life. »