Wilfried Sagnol, the trumpeter who makes people talk

GABON

"To well-born souls, value does not wait for the number of years." This quote from Corneille perfectly illustrates the talent of Willy the young trumpeter. Indeed, he is one of the youngest, but above all, one of the best trumpeters in Gabon. Artiaf wanted to know more about this young shoot that combines virtuosity and softness on stage. He transcends musical genres but above all, Willy wants to bring together young musicians around a common passion for brass.

It was in 2007 that Willy, better known under the artist name Wilfrid Sagnol, began playing brass. Indeed, it was after having touched almost all the instruments (piano, guitar, drums ...) of his church that the young artist, born a few years rather in Libreville, decided to specialize on the instrument of Louis Armstrong. Self-taught, he did personal research by practicing with an old piston trombone that had been procured for him by leaders of his choir at the church.

Immediately, the progress on his trumpet is felt. Willy didn't have to wait several years to master his instrument. He quickly became noticed in religious circles and in school bands (EPI, Lycée d'Etat de l'Estuaire, Lycée National Léon Mba...). The "small", as it is sometimes called, is unavoidable. In 2009, when he knocked on the door of the Mbala orchestra (best musical formation in Gabon) he was immediately recruited after a casting that the young trumpeter passed successfully.

Since then, Willy Sagnol has accumulated releases and performances with the Mbala orchestra where he directs the brass section. He is so rigorous that his group of blowers has become "the spearhead" of the orchestra as the brass plays well . To see them express their talent, you just have to go to the trendy cabarets of Libreville. There you will see them accompanied by their orchestra. But very often they are on tour in the hinterland. Outside of the orchestra, Willy and his guys are regularly invited into the studio to play brass instruments for various local and international artists.

Sagnol is so passionate about music that he has even set up his own brass band called "Light Fanfare". It is composed of about thirty musicians (clique and harmony). It is especially in this fanfare that Willy tries to transmit his knowledge and passion to young people. But, the "little one" also uses his fanfare as a breeding ground. Indeed, the best musicians are very often copied in order to integrate a powerful brass section called "Light Brass Section" that Willy has assembled from scratch.

The efforts of the "little one" are crowned with success and he can be proud of it. The performances and invitations are numerous: concerts, piano bar, weddings, official ceremonies, etc. He rubs shoulders with big names in local music and even benefits from the advice of Jérémie Ahouandjinou, another African trumpet virtuoso residing in Cotonou, Benin. Three years ago, Sagnol was approached by the leaders of a very prominent jazz orchestra in Gabon, the famous Ipuka Jazz, born from the ashes of the Libreville Jazz Club. It should be noted that the instrumentalist was also part of Pierre Claver Akendengue's stable for a few years, an essential reference of Gabonese music around the world.

Currently in the studio, he is preparing a single whose official release is scheduled for the first quarter of 2018. On another level, he is competing for the Gospel Art Trophy in the best musicians category. The Gospel Art Music is a competition organized in Gabon every year to reward the best gospel artists.

However, all is not rosy for the young trumpeter. Academically, as best he could, the virtuoso tried to finalize his studies. At the beginning of his career, he already has accumulated the diplomas of which we can mention: a baccalaureate series A1, a University Diploma of Technology (DUT) and a Diploma of Higher Technician (DTS) in Maintenance and Computer Networks. In music, he holds an elementary certificate option harmony and a technical certificate first degree option harmony.

From a material point of view, Willy needs instruments for his band because many young people adhere to it. The instruments available remain insufficient in the face of growing demand. Coppers are expensive in terms of price, hard to find and fragile.

Finally, let's just remember that Willy works tirelessly for the mastery of his trumpet. He urges more and more young people to practice wind instruments and seek excellence in work.

Willy is single, father of a charming daughter named Délia.

                                                                                                                                                        The Editors