Photo by Marjorie Guindon

Biographies

Choreographer-documentarian and artistic director of RD Créations, Rhodnie Désir has created over twenty dance pieces, including BOW’T TRAIL Retrospek. This, and her pioneering memoir journey BOW’T TRAIL, have earned her two awards from the Prix de la danse de Montréal. In 2021, she was chosen as one of the “25 to watch” by Dance Magazine in New York and nominated for the prestigious career award “The APAP Award of Merit”. In 2022, she received the “Danseuse de l’année” award at the Gala Dynastie, she became the first Associate Artist of the famous Place des Arts institution in Montréal, and she entered the Dance Collection Danse Hall of Fame (Sandra Faire Next Génération Award). Her choreographic-documentary and Afro-contemporary signature is deeply rooted in polyrhythmic languages. As a performer and orator of remarkable power, her words and her international civic actions unite beyond dance, and have taken her as far as UNESCO.

Phot by Kevin Calixte

Producer, beatmaker, DJ, Japanese mangas, cultures and traditions lover, Engone Endong explores civilizations and offers an alternative approach to music, art and world traditions by cleverly mixing ancestral knowledge with today’s sounds (electroic, hip-hop, experimental). Collaborating internationally as a DJ, he composes soundtracks in various realms, such as the virtual experience for the movie “Les Etats-Unis d’Afrique: au-delà du hip-hop”, by Yanick Létourneau (PERIPHERIA, prix de la Critique RIDM 2011). Standing out as a performer, Engone has performed alongside the legendary American DJ Rich Medina and has headlined the Piknic Electronik festival. Creator of the “African Sessions” nights (with DJs Sugarface Nene and Je Suis TBA) at the legendary Club Balattou, he signed with the record label UNLOG that focuses on instrumental music. Engone has created and released critically acclaimed albums and continues to collaborate with international artists.

Photo by Kevin Calixte

Self-taught drummer/band leader, Jahsun has over 30 years of professional experience. He is one of the most requested drummers in Montréal. Specializing in reggae, jazz-hop, funk, R&B & soul, hip-hop music, he has toured across Canada, India, China, the Caribbean & the United States. Jahsun has solid experience performing in large, international festivals and concert venues, and studio recording in a variety of genres, focused on both improvisational and rehearsed content. Since 2003, he has been founder and artistic director of the Kalmunity Vibe Collective, a premiere platform for artistic expression, artist development & networking based on improvised music. Comprising a group of over 100 artists, Kalmunity has produced two weekly events that have been running for over 15 years each. In addition, Jahsun is co-founder of the Kalmunity Music Week since 2018, Canada’s first Black arts week. Jahsun has been at the forefront of Montréal’s live music scene for over 20 years, has woven his sound into Montréal’s sonic fabric, and is always committed to providing a space/stage for storytelling & creative black music.