When you think of the accordion, there are certain styles and places that immediately come to mind: Polkas from Central Europe, Tango from Argentina, or Zydeco from Louisiana… but trance and environmental preservation music from Madagascar? That is exactly what accordionist Regis Gizavo has been doing for the past decade, traveling the world, singing about the plight of the forests in the fabled island of the Indian Ocean. His first international release, "Mikea," is dedicated to the subject: "The album is dedicated to safeguard the Mikea. The Mikea are people who live in the forest, live off the land, farming and hunting as they did long, long ago. Today, they are threatened by the deforestation."

Both on stage and on his album, Regis is accompanied by only drummer David Mirandon. Still, with his beautiful Malagasy vocal melodies and a squeezebox mixing African folk rhythms with a touch of blues, it's easy to believe you are listening to a whole band. The accordion has been an integral part of Malagasy folk music for generations. Its introduction dates back to 1896 when the French colonizers first brought it to the island. Today, the accordion is such an integral part of Malagasy culture that you can find it in just about every ritual and celebration, including trance ceremonies. Regis Gizavo's first experience with Malagasy trance music occurred as a child. It was back in 1977 when a young woman heard the sound of an accordion from a neighboring hut, started dancing, and immediately fell into a trance. Quickly they sent for the town's top musician. Regis Gizavo, then aged 12, who played and played, calmed, and eventually freed the woman from her trance. Since then, trance has been an important element in Regis Gizavo's music.

A decade ago, after winning the "Discovery" Radio France International Prize, Gizavo moved to Paris, which led to collaboration on albums by Manu Dibango, Ray Lema, Les Tętes Brulées, as well as work with Malagasy guitarist D'Gary. By 1993, he joined Corsica's most popular band, I Muvrini. Gizavo still plays occasionally with I Muvrini, while pursuing a busy solo touring schedule.

Contributed by: Dan Rosenberg