Joni Zougcasto Biography

Born in the Ivory Coast, West Africa, Zougcasto already from his childhood was initiated to percussions and singing by the eldermusicclans.
Later from the highschool on , he then starts to study different languages aswell as the interest for the music growed.

Highlife Music

Parallel to his study at the institut of languages a branch of the Legon university in Accra Ghana, he follows known performants as Abébé or Pat Thomas, and got hooked with the "Highlife" Music . further zougcasto met the "African Brothers Big Band".
1973 he ended his schooling at the Fachhochschule Frankfurt After his electromecanic&sound ingenier diploma and went to the United States.

Godfathers of soul

In New York und Chicago he then had the chance and opportunity to meet many music giants as Larry Smith, Greg Bandy and Bill Withers (9 Grammy Nominations, :"Ain`t no sunshine", "Lean on me").

Swinging Art Ensemble de Paris

1983 He became a member of the "Swing Art Ensemle de Paris" of the french guitarist Hervé Krief.and went back to France with them. With this group in Paris, he had the joy to play with talented musicians like the bassman Armand Sabel Lecco or the Trombonist Pierre Chabrel.
At the same period he met friends as Dikoto Madengue old bassist of the famous "Ossi Bissa" and the guitarist Nguini Vincent who at that time was playing in the Manu Dibangos band.

1986, First Single "Fire an Rain"

In June 1986 at the Magenta and Davout Studio in Paris Zougcasto recorded his first Maxi-Single „FIRE & RAIN“ dedicated to the south african singer Miriam Makeba for her world wide fight against the apartheid .
Back to Afrika , where the record first got published.

Hit Single "Woman" on "Fire&Rain"

Between 1987 and 1988 Zougcasto participated at many TV, Radios, Festivals shows in many african countries.

Foundation of GAPI

In 1990 while touring around 22 african countries,from Ivory coast to Ghana, Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso, Senegal, Niger, Uganda and Liberia, Zougcasto created „GAPI“,his organization.
Later he was in Sierra Leone, and further to Nigeria in Lagos where he met african giants named Fela Kuti.Sonny Okoson,Sonny Adé, Peterside Ottong,Mike Okrit and many more.

Wind of Peace, dedicated Nelson Mandela, Kofi Anan

As soon as he was back to Ivory cost in 1991 , Zougcasto and Gapimusic produced the album and video Clip „Joyce“, with the publishing of EMI Cote d´Ivoire .
1993 He comes back to Europe and put a stop to the music scene and worked in recordingstudios as musician and songwriter for others for 4 years.
In 1998 thinking of Nelson Mandela,he wrote the album "Wind of peace"and came back to the music scene.

United Nations of Afrika

In this highly original signature sound, Zougcasto with"Eyemirisa" opens with a mellow delayed vocal sample, before the introduction of the energetic bass-driven beats.
With "for your freedom" as well as U.N.A. dedicated to Sir Kofi Anan, he relates a passionate plea for peace and unity in africa.

Clin d`oeil

From September 1999 the artist worked on his forth album "Clin d´oeuil", wich was published in March 2001. In this album Zougcasto dedicated "Itoh" the sixth song to Laurent Gbagbo for all his efforts to bring peace in the Ivory coast, his homeland.

In 1996, With the song „Woman“ Zougcasto honored the first Compilation "Ivoir compil" in the category of the best of the music of Ivory coast

Starguest "Le Club" 2001

As starguest by the french tv show"Le CLUB" MCM International & MCM Afrika Zougcasto was invited and during 52 mn interviewed by the Journalist Amobé and Myriam .This highlight show was again diffused on19 Februar 2001 .

Previouly on sunday night 18. Februar 2001 the Zougcasto-Band was live at the„Péniche-Makara“ on „ quai de la Gare“ in 13. Distrikt in Paris.

On the scene of the "Divan du Monde" in Pigalle/Paris, was a big live show :the Zougcastos Band was introducing „Clin d´oeuil“ their new album to the public.

In 28. April 2003 the Zougcastos Band was choosen as the highlight band to close the yearly festivity of the high institut of commerce at "La Scene" in Bastille/Paris.

Working on "Exode" in Germany

At the end of the year 2003 Zougcasto began with the work on his 5. CD in München, Germany.
The CD "EXODE" was published in 2004 and since Zougcasto has been working with his new band to prepare the new shows.

Hitpack Vol. 3 Germany

In Januar 2005, In a House Remix Version will soon be published the song"Afrofunk" in the german Compilation Hitpack, Vol. 3.(first in Germany, Austria and zwissland).

Joni Zougcasto

Joni Zougcasto is an interdisziplinar Musician,who has his roots deeply implanted in a africanjazzfield, where he always referes to, concerning his musically education.
Inspired by all those experiences confer richness to textes that are never the less fervent, sensitiv, full of humanism with much originality to the melodies.