D'Gary

D'Gary
D'Gary in 2007
Background information
Birth name	Ernest Randrianasolo[1]
Born	(1961-10-22)22 October 1961 Antananarivo, Madagascar
Occupation(s)	Musician guitarist singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)	Guitar vocals
Years active	1978–present

Ernest Randrianasolo (born 22 July 1961), better known as D'Gary, is a Malagasy musician of Bara ethnicity. His primary instrument is the acoustic guitar.

Musical style

D'Gary's elaborate playing style is characterised by his use of alternative tunings. His style developed from his interest in Malagasy music, such as tsapiky, popular in southern Madagascar, and has been compared to music produced on traditional instruments, like the Vezo's marovany frame box zither and the Bara's lokanga violin.

In 2007, he toured North America with the International Guitar Night[2] ensemble and recorded the International Guitar Night II[3] live album with the collaboration of Brian Gore (US), Miguel de la Bastide (Trinidad) and Clive Carroll (UK) under the Pacific Music label.

In April 2009, he toured the United States as part of the Throw Down Your Heart tour with Bela Fleck and other African musicians.

Selected discography

Studio albums

• Malagasy Guitar – D'Gary. Music From Madagascar – 10 February 1993 (Shanachie)
• The Long Way Home (with Dama) – 15 September 1994 (Shanachie)
• Horombe (with Jihe) – 21 May 1996 (Stern's)
• Mbo Loza – 24 June 1997 (Indigo)
• Akata Meso – 9 July 2002 (Indigo)

References

1. GITARA GASY! by Ian Anderson features background information and interview.
2. IGN Information and booking
3. International Guitar Night II at the Pacific Music web site

External links

• RFI Musique biography