Hadouk Trio: Biography

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• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

Genres:

Jazz Music, Fusion Jazz Music, World & International Music

Decades Active:

1990's|2000's

France's Hadouk Trio channeled musical elements from across the globe to create a uniquely mystical and evocative sound somewhere between jazz and world pop. The Hadouk Trio was led by Parisborn multiinstrumentalist Didier Malherbe, previously known for cofounding with Soft Machine alum Daevid Allen the famed psychprog outfit GongMalherbe remained with Gong for close to a decade, shepherding the band through myriad personnel and creative changes before exiting in 1978. Throughout his travels Malherbe collected exotic instruments from the far corners of the earth, and after a series of shortlived experimental rock ensembles and a 1980 solo jazzrock LP, Bloom, in 1994 he embraced world music by forming Hadouk with multiinstrumentalist Loy Ehrlich, a specialist in the hajouj, the African threestringed bass that along with the Armenian doublereed instrument the doudouk gave the project its name. Mahlerbe and Ehrlich initially recorded and toured as a duo, issuing their selftitled debut LP in 1999with the followup Shamanimal, their ranks swelled to a trio with the addition of American percussionist Steve Shehan, a veteran with stints behind Bob Dylan and Paul Simon on his résumé. Hadouk Now followed in 2002, and two years later the Hadouk Trio issued its first concert LP, Live at Fip. The 2006 release Utopies includes three songs featuring the American trumpeter Jon Hassell.

- Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide