Interview by Paula Edelstein

Marie Daulne, the founder and fronting member of Zap Mama since the early 1990s, has lived a life that rivals Homer’s Odyssey.  Filled with peril and triumph, glove-spanning quests, and a series of personal achievements that seem almost heroic in scope, her story is one of epic proportions in the annals of World music. Born in the Congo, but raised in Belgium, Marie spends her life crossing continents and winning the hearts of thousands of fans, while introducing her musical heritage to the world and uniting musical cultures through the wonders of voice, music and performance.

SOTJ caught up with the lovely Marie Daulne as Zap Mama prepared for a tour of the USA in support of their debut release for the Heads Up Africa Series recording titled SUPERMOON. Here’s what she had to say:

SOTJ:  Hi Marie, congratulations on your debut for Heads Up International called SUPERMOON. Let’s talk about the group first and then we’ll talk about the record and some of your upcoming concerts. What led to the creation of Zap Mama back in 1990?

MARIE:  Hello Paula. Well, I decided to go back to Africa where I was born to learn about my African background. When I went to the Congo, I hadn’t thought of being a musician. Not at all. But I was there, and I was standing in the middle of the forest, hearing the music that had been a part of my earliest memories, and it was like an illumination, like a light. As a result, I assembled four other vocalists and created the first Zap Mama, an all-female a cappella quintet.

SOTJ:  How did you first come to critical attention…in other words, what was your first big break in the music world?

MARIE: We made ADVENTURES IN AFROPEA I in 1993 for Luaka Bop. In 1994 we made SABSYLMA and earned a Grammy nomination. For me it was for the love of the culture than the fame and then three or four labels starting to come around and I said, “why not” In the beginning I didn’t realize how much the people wanted to hear my music and with the release of the CDs, I knew it was something good. We signed to Virgin Records and released 7. We worked with Black Thought of The Roots and Speech from Arrested Development on A MA ZONE. Later I worked with Richard Nichols and Erykah Badu, Questlove and Talib Kweli on ANCESTRY IN PROGRESS and all this lead me to Heads Up International and the release of SUPERMOON.

SOTJ:  Your debut for Heads Up International titled SUPERMOON is an engaging blend of world, jazz, pop, funk reggae and sol and has been described as existing at the intersection between pop culture and high art. Would you agree with that classification?

MARIE: Yes and don’t forget African beat! (Smile) We have drummer Tony Allen, bassist Meshell Ndegeocello and Will Lee; guitarists David Gilmore and Michael Franti and percussionist Bashiri Johnson in addition to so many other great musicians from around the world.

SOTJ:  From where did you draw inspiration for the songs on SUPERMOON?

MARIE:  Well people all around me were identifying themselves through a media image, a certain kind of look, a certain kind of artificial personality. So I said, let’s be ourselves and not be obsessed with superstars and idols. Let’s be a “supermoon” and follow our own desires and pursue the things that we were born to do.

SOTJ:  That’s unique…instead of being a superstar, you’re a supermoon! There’s lots of brilliant inspiration shining on these songs. Marie, you re-team with Anthony Tidd on “Affection” who also produced “Bandy Bandy” on your chart-topping hit recording called ANCESTRY IN PROGRESS. That was an awesome CD with Erykah Badu, Questlove and Talib Kweli! How did you originally hook up with Tony Tidd?

MARIE:  Through The Roots.

SOTJ:  Over the years Zap Mama has morphed from an a cappella quintet into the creative vision of one woman surrounded by talent from nearly every corner of the musical landscape. Who will be appearing with you on your American tour that kicks off with the Newport Jazz Festival?

MARIE:  Well I have Damien Smith as my drummer, my two usual backing vocals – Lene Norgaard Christensen and a new guitarist.

SOTJ:  How do you feel about being invited to play the prestigious Newport Jazz Festival, which is one of the longest running festivals in the world and to KCRW’S World Festival at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, CA?

MARIE:  I am really excited and honored to just be on the same stages as some of the great musicians who have performed there.

SOTJ:  In addition to being an artist and a performer, you devote much of your time and energy to humanitarian causes. Who are the recipients of your charitable works and what can others do to help support your causes and organizations?

MARIE:  I work with young people in The Congo through Medicins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders), CARE, the United Nations and am an Ambassador through Amnesty International in an effort to fight global poverty and protecting human rights.

SOTJ:  Beautiful I must say you’re quite the ‘supermoon’ and here’s to love from the heart and all your great works around the world. Once again, congratulations on your debut for Heads Up International.

MARIE:  Thank you Paula.

SOTJ:  Thank you Marie. Keep in touch with Zap Mama at www.zapmama.be