Drummer, Guitarist, composer & vocalist, the Multi talented Mozambican Deodato Siquir started playing music at a young age with a homemade drum set comprised of tin bins and other improvised components, at a young age of 15 Deodato gained the opportunity to work professionally alongside an orchestra and soon after created his first group ‘Jasde’. Highly influenced by zouk, jazz and fresh music from Mozambique, Deodato started to experiment with these genres of music and own singing to create smooth blends of jazz yet street music.
He later assembled other groups such as Trio friends and MozAfro (now known as Banda azul).Deodato Siquir & trio included lyrics in a combination of Portuguese, English and Ronga with a fusion of rhythms from Danish guitarist and a polish bass player.
In 2008 Deodato was invited by Maputo to attend the Danish centre for culture and development to lead the Danish Mozambique week, here he got the opportunity to work alongside west African bass player and Danish guitarist; he also gathered other top musicians from Mozambique for the event to create Deodato Siquir & Bande De Maputo (‘Maputo’ being capital of Mozambique) who he still continues to callaborate with today. MozAfro is one other band which Deodato joined with, which was a collaboration of childhood friends who had a common interests of world jazz, traditional African music and gospel and fused these together to create music with many layers. Deodato later migrated to Scandinavia meaning he had to leave the band whilst they continued to make music but changed their name into Banda azul. Banda azul has continued to rise and have had great success winning best youth band in year 2000.
In 2000 Deodato contributed to the organisation and recording of 'Mozambique Relief' this was an album featuring artist from both Mozambique and Finland released to aid in raising funds for the victims in floods that year. Deodato relocated once again now to Sweden in 2001 where he used the contacts he had made from his previous collaborations throughout his career to help him get himself noticed which worked in his favour as he is now one of the most demanded Jazz sidemans’ and world artist.
His debut album ‘Blanco’ in 2007 made a splash in the international world of jazz and the album took its place in the top ten of Europe World Music’s albums where it remained for three months.
With a mix of different cultures, a blend of guitar (acoustic most times), percussion and a rich voice
Deodato Siquir is definitely one act to see live!
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Deodato Siquer performing with Balanco:
Words and research by vinspired volunteer Asso Tono
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