Coming from a musicians` family, Mario Canonge was brought up with constant music around him, since his earliest age in Martinique (French Caribbean). Today, at 33 years of age, Mario has already made his name in music. In the beginning of the 80`s, he experienced a new musical style, ”Manigua“, between jazz and salsa, thus mixing the rhythms and melodies of the Caribbean and the western world. In 1993, Mario was awarded the first prize at the Défense piano Festival. In 1992, Mario recorded his first solo album, “Retour aux sources”, which was well received by the public. His second record, ”Trait d`Union“, came out one year later. Mario Canonge`s style, creole jazz, is best rendered in his latest CD, “Rhizome”, which will be the basis of his African Tour. He will be in Pretoria on March 23rd, along with excellent musicians from the French jazz stage