THE ROAR OF SHAOLIN TEMPLE DEFENDERS, AT THE 2015 SAINT-EMILION JAZZ FESTIVAL

SHAOLIN TEMPLE DEFENDERS, STAGE ANIMALS

Emmanuel Guerin-Ponjouanine, or rather Brother Lion, will ignite the public at the Jazz Festival in Saint-Emilion, in a soul funk atmosphere. He’s been called by his nickname for a decade. “When I take the microphone, usually I give it all. The term “lion” is in reference to the roar. This is a somewhat passionate way of singing, it is the animal side”, he smiles. Keen on music since childhood, Brother Lion began playing the violin at the age of 9 and touched his first guitar at 14. His father was a musician and singer. “It gave me the flame”, he says. This “flame”, comes on when he starts to be Brother Lion. For the singer with the cap, “the scene is a release where we can give it all. It is a time of sharing with the public, a consecration and an outlet”. Public at the Saint-Emilion Jazz Festival, you have been warned!

A FIRST FOR THE SHAOLIN TEMPLE DEFENDERS

The Saint-Emilion Jazz Festival is a first for the soul funk group, which has toured in France, Europe and Canada. Originally from Bordeaux, Brother Lion knows the reputation of event. What makes him look forward to it: “The weather will be pleasant, we will have a good time and drink great Saint-Emilion wine”. If he is a fine soul and funk connoisseurs, the singer is also a wine lover, “Listening to Al Green, Love and Happiness, while drinking Saint-Emilion wine, I think that would be good, there”, he amuses himself. Shaolin Temple Defenders, who know their classics, have been composing and performing for about ten years. “We released four albums, including one with James Brown’s former backing singer”, says Emmanuel Guerin-Ponjouanine. At the Saint-Emilion Jazz Festival, the band will sing somecover versions, but will play their pieces in priority, including his last two titles, “Keep This Funk On a Roll”.