Donné Roberts is as a member of the all-star African Guitar Summit, whose debut CD won the 2005 Juno Award for Best World Music Album. With that group, he has toured throughout Canada including an exciting appearance at Live 8 in Barrie Ontario, now featured on DVD. Donné is nominated in the 2005 Canadian Urban Music Awards "Global Rhythms" category.
Donné’s eclectic musical style draws on salegy, funk and jazz grooves. He is often referred to as “an original”, with a unique flare for finger picking. “My music is Malagasy Soul: there are many influences in it, of course, but the Malagasy always stays.” says Donné.

Donné’s full name is Rakotomamonjy Dieudonné Robert, born in Diego-Suarez (also known as the city of salegy music) in Madagascar. He moved to Russia as a young boy with his diplomat father. Donné first picked up a guitar when he was nine years old and felt immediately that this was his calling. He found his muse in the likes of Junior Marvin, Mark Knopfler and Freddy Ranarison – all of them musicians who “put their soul into the music” and helped to shape him as an artist in the years to come.

The way Donné describes his many musical influences says a great deal about his aspirations, to be sure, but also about his personal values. He talks about his admiration for the way Peter Gabriel converges
different cultures; how Paul Simon emanates peace and connectedness. Touched by the beautiful melodies of Earth, Wind and Fire, he also found messages of hope and freedom in the lyrics of Bob Marley. From this pool of rich creative talent, Donné found the inspiration he needed to compose his first song when he was 13 years old.

When Donné was 15, he joined his first African band, the Nigerian Tropicans, and toured Russia and Ukraine. They played Soukous, Zouk, Reggae and Funk. After he and his family moved to France in 1986, Donné recorded his first album Raha Tonga Ilay Andro. To promote this album, he embarked on a concert tour through Madagascar in 1989, opening for legendary Malagasy band Nanahary. He then returned to Russia to pursue a university degree in English and Russian linguistics.

In 1993, Donné formed the Russian Malagasy band Mo-bratia, and after a gig opening for the British superstars EAST 17 at Red Square, the media stood up and took notice. His performance for the European Musical Competition Generation 95 won him first place for best composition and musical conception, as well as an offer of a record deal with Polygram. Donné is a well-known figure in Russian show business. In 1997 he produced Mama Africa, one of the largest and most unique African festivals ever to grace Russian culture. With presentations of African arts, culture and music, it was featured on television, radio and in major clubs and casinos over a threemonth
period, exposing much of Russia to the beauty and diversity that makes up Africa today.
In 1998 Donné became the first black person in history to host a one-hour show on MTV Russia, called Mambassa. That same year, he was chosen to organize a group of back up vocalists for the Swedish pop band Ace of Bace on their promotional tour through Moscow.

Donné Roberts is a member of the Juno winning African Guitar Summit project, and performs as a guitar player for blues band the Chain Gang. Donné has also launched his own band with his own sound, which recently played for Music Africa at Lula Lounge, 2005 Pride Parade, and other events around Toronto. His solo CD “Rhythm Was Born” was released in February 11, 2005 at Harbourfront Centre – Toronto.

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