Cécile Doo Kingué


"Full of sophisticated musicianship and striking lyricism" - Living Blues Magazine

An exceptional stage presence, guitarist / singer-songwriter Cécile Doo-Kingué blends blues, afro-roots and soul to create a unique sound. Born and raised in New York City, first generation from Cameroon, she has lived in the USA, France, and is now an adopted Montrealer.

Considered one of Canada’s most electrifying and versatile guitarists, she has shared a stage and/or recorded with Montreal Jubilation Choir, Blind Boys of Alabama, James Blood Ulmer, Bernard Purdie, Jim Byrnes, Michael Jerome Brown, Tricia Foster, Scarlett Jane, United Steel Workers of Montreal, amongst many, and has opened for many icons including Canned Heat, John Prine, Eric Andersen, Angélique Kidjo, Youssou N’Dour and Manu Dibango. In 2008, Cecile and Gern f. of USWM started Chick Pickin’ Mondays, a night promoting women singer-songwriters.

June 2010, Cecile released her debut solo album Freedom Calling to critical acclaim. In 2011, CBC commissions Doo-Kingué to write Home, a song on immigration.  Gris, released in 2012, also praised by press and music lovers alike, earned Cécile the 2013 Fondation SPACQ Edith Butler Award for Excellence in Francophone Songwriting. Doo-Kingué toured both albums extensively across Canada and Europe, firing up clubs, listening rooms and festivals alike with her face-melting playing, rich vocals, and sharp and genuine banter with her audience.

February 2015, Doo-Kingué releases her third solo album Anybody Listening Pt. 1: Monologues, the first chapter of a trilogy exploring blues, roots and life in their myriad of aspects (Monologues solo acoustic, Dialogues full band, Communion live), showcasing Doo-Kingué’s songwriting in its rawest form. The album earned her accolades and multiple Maple Blues Award nominations for her exceptional guitar playing, soulful vocals, and powerful songwriting.
January 2016, Doo-Kingué  releases the second chapter of her trilogy exploring blues, roots, and life in their myriad of aspects. Anybody Listening Part 2: Dialogues features her strength and versatility as an all-around guitarist and musician, from blues to jazz to folk to soul to rock n’ roll.  Fiery licks and seamless melody compliment her deep, laid-back voice throughout the album, leaving no doubt as to the guitarist’s oneness with the instrument, nor the unity of her sound.  Surrounded by a stellar cast of Montreal’s finest musicians, Doo-Kingué presents an eclectic collection of contemporary blues adding to the social commentary of Anybody Listening Part 1: Monologues, and celebrating life and music with fellow artists she is a fan of, in spaces that exude positive energy. The first two chapters of the trilogy have generated international critical acclaim from blues and roots media including Living Blues and Blues Matters magazines, as well as several engagements in international roots festivals, and over 150 tour dates across Canada.

 Cécile Doo-Kingué is quickly earning a stellar reputation and a place alongside Canada’s current roster of great guitarists. Powerful and raw, Cécile Doo-Kingué’s guitar prowess, lyrics, and sound make for enthralling and intimate communion.
 

Vancouver Sun - Gastown Sessions video

PRESS
 

"Exciting, intelligent and bridging the blues songwriting gap the new sound of urban blues is Cecile Doo-Kingue." John Emms - John Emms Reviews

“Doo-Kingué’s cool mezzo and hot guitar picking prove a compelling contrast (…) Full of sophisticated musicianship and striking lyricism.” Melanie Young - Living Blues

“She plays a mean blues guitar, a humbly strong artist with a penchant for doing justice” Matt Hensn - Broadway World

“Cécile Doo-Kingué is doing her part to bring blues into the 21st century” Roger Levesque - Edmonton Journal

“Montreal's Cecile Doo-Kingue was all over the place this past weekend, performing a superb afternoon concert Saturday (...) Doo-Kingue's soulful, socio-political lyrics were matched by some incredible fretwork. This lady can shred and her energy was infectious.” François Marchand - The Vancouver Sun

“Committed, uncompromising, and passionate, this is serious blues” Bob Mersereau - Top 100 Canadian Singles

"Soul emitting and powerful music" Leah Parker-Turnock - FATEA

"Doo-Kingué est impressionnante!" Ralph Boncy - ICI-Musique

“Sa maîtrise du blues ne fait plus aucun doute et on ne peut qu’être éblouis par ce talent brut.” Richard Dion - Musicomania

“True talent and authenticity. She’s the real thing.” Nicolas Pelletier - Rreverb.com

"Doo-Kingue is the 2015 version of the blues." James Reany - London Free Press

“Cécile Doo-Kingué: Montreal-based blues artist, her guitar playing will make your face melt.” Dave Cool - Bandzoogle.com

“Une guitariste hors pair” Ralph Boncy - L'actualité

“Ace guitarist and mixer of potent blues, soul and Afro-folk elixirs (...) Her seductive voice and nimble fretwork will leave a deep impression.” Lorraine Carpenter - Montreal Mirror

"She is not only one of the most electrifying guitarists around, but she is also one of the most versatile, covering everything from Afro-folk to funk, blues to bluegrass.”        Bill Brownstein - Montreal Gazette

"Guitare en main, groove dans la voix et récits anecdotiques, Cécile Doo-Kingué a su effacer les tracas de la vie le temps d’une soirée" Touki Montréal

“Je vous mets au défi de dresser une liste des cinq meilleurs guitaristes du Grand Montréal sans y inclure Cécile Doo-Kingué.” Ralph Boncy - Radio-Canada.ca

“La musique blues et africaine n’a qu’à bien se tenir : Doo-Kingué est là pour rester, c’est évident!(...) Cécile Doo-Kingué. Retenez-bien ce nom, car la dame n’a pas fini de faire parler d’elle!” Mario Landerman - ZoneCulture.com

"Cécile nous époustoufle avec sa technique et le son tiré de ses guitares qui n’est pas sans nous rappeler parfois un certain Jimi H." Stéphan Lunati - Le Net Blues

“Smoky and soulful music” Erin Macleod - Montreal Mirror

“Montreal guitar goddess Cécile Doo-Kingué not only produced this album, but wrote all the songs and played all the instruments. And the album sounds great (...) worthy of Jimi Hendrix.” Bugs Burnett - Hour

“excellente guitariste, Cécile Doo Kingué cultive également la bonne humeur autour d’elle.” Jean-Jacques Dikongue - Tribune 2 l'artiste

 

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