Joe Amouzou was born in Togo, West Africa, into a very musical family.  His father, Louis, was a renowned folk singer, whose songs remain part of the cultural fabric of the country.  His mother was an accomplished soprano in a well-known local choir.  Joe’s career in music began in his teens as a radio, television and concert singer and musician.

Since immigrating to Canada in the early 1980s, Joachim continued to entertain in a wide variety of venues, singing and playing guitar, keyboard and percussion instruments.  His repertoire includes Caribbean, African, Reggae, and French music, which he performs solo or with groups.  Joe is a prolific song writer, with lyrics written in French, English Mina and Ewe languages.

The new millennium found Joe writing songs and making his first CD, ‘Singing for Love’, released in 2004 and which spanned rhythm and blues, jazz, African folk, and reggae.  His debut album expressed political awareness and the human experience… particularly love.  Upon release of his album, Joe was interviewed by CBC and a song, ‘Help Me Love You’ was selected for the movie documentary, ‘Territoire De L’Autre’, which was broadcast in May 2004.

While promoting his first CD, Joe traveled to Europe and Africa and did radio and TV shows on both continents with notable music and media personalities, including Manu Dibango. He then traveled to Taiwan and performed in three major concerts with the band ‘Jazz Afric’.

Upon returning to Canada, Joachim continued to perform, notably at a fundraiser for Darfur and Culturama at Vancouver’s Vogue Theatre.  He continued to write and record songs, mainly in the genre of Afro-Jazz fusion.  The fruit of two years of steady effort and devotion is a second album, ‘Mist of Charms’, which was released in October 2006.  The CD is high-energy and danceable… fraught with powerful and delicious rhythm.  With the release of this album, Joe Amouzou has emerged as a leading African Canadian composer and performer.

Joe has appeared on numerous stages in the Lower Mainland, notably an acoustic solo concert at Reach Gallery-Museum in Abbotsford and with his band, "The Safari League" at the Caribbean Day Festival in North Vancouver. He and his band plan to tour China in 2010.

Joe returned to the studio to record his third CD release, "Ocean of Symphonies/Ocean De Symphonies" in July 2009. This double CD showcases various musical styles in the genre of Afro-Jazz-Fusion, and Includes reggae and world music tracks. He has created a unique fusion of world, reggae and jazz styles which will appeal to a diverse and discerning musical audience.

Thanks and Salut! 

Some years ago in Lome-Togo, (West Africa) on a quiet and enchanted evening, a great man and I stood alone on a balcony. He said, "Son, I will share with you something tonight that I often think of. If ever I was condemned to die for any reason, and I was asked what my last request would be, I would simply ask to have beautiful and soothing music played to me for three minutes... after which they could shoot. Believe me, "he continued, "by the time the order was given to fire, they'd only hit my empty shell (his body), for my soul would be far away." I was profoundly touched and could only say, "Papa, you love music that much?" He nodded his head to confirm, "Music is my soul and my soul is music!" He then smiled, caressed my hair and said, "Good night, son".

Now, I take this step further by saying this to all past, present and future great musicians all over the globe: Thank you for your gifts to the world, for sharing your divine talent so unselfishly with others, for offering us your best - your music and your love.

-Joe Amouzou