Latyr Sy

Latyr Sy is a Senegalese singer and percussionist based in Tokyo.

Biography

Latyr Sy was born in Gorée, Dakar on September 12, 1972. He moved to Japan in 1995 and in 1996 organized his own percussion group, AFRICA SUNU XELCOM. He is now based in Tokyo.

Life and work

Latyr Sy collaborates with many artists, and genres like jazz, Latin, rock and traditional music, such as Leyona, Aya Nakano and Inushiki. And collaborates with artists from other countries: Mamady Keita (percussion, Guinea), Okura Shonosuke (drumming from Japanese lyrical Noh drama), Senba Kiyohiko (percussion Japan), Sato Masahiko (jazz piano, Japan), Kim Defang (percussion, Korea), Rico Rodriguez (trombone, Jamaica), Kansane (vocalist, Korea), Leyona (vocalist, Japan) and many others.

Latyr Sy hosts African percussion workshops around Japan, in Tokyo, Nagoya and other cities. Also at elementary and junior high schools throughout Japan to introduce African music and culture. Latyr Sy is fluent in five languages: Japanese, French, Spanish, English and native Senegalese Wolof language.