TALENT and Passion | Alain Oyono tells his story, shares his heritage

Author, composer, and instrumentalist, Alain Oyono found in the saxophone, very early on, more than just an instrument: a true voice. Originally from Cameroon, he grew up in an environment deeply influenced by religious music, inherited from his father, a guitarist and singer, and from his brother, who introduced him to reading and writing music. From his youth, the saxophone became self-evident. “As soon as my fingers touched it, I knew that this instrument would be part of my whole life,” he confides.

If his essence comes from gospel, makossa, or even bikutsi, Alain Oyono has managed to expand his universe by fusing African sounds with jazz. This approach has shaped what he today calls his “afro jazz,” a musical language that combines traditional rhythms with Western harmonies. “I rely on my culture, but I go deeply into African sounds to marry them with jazz,” he explains. An artistic approach that aims to be both authentic and universal.

Alain Oyono’s career was first built alongside Youssou N’Dour, with whom he toured the world for eleven years. An experience he describes as one of the most beautiful of his life. Yet, after more than a decade of prestigious collaborations, he chose to take a risk: launching himself as a solo artist. “There isn’t really a trigger,” he says. “There is just a moment when you decide to take your life in hand and assume your choices.”

Like many artists, Alain Oyono had to face doubts and sacrifices. Giving up a traditional academic path, responding to family expectations, then accepting the uncertainties of an artist’s life. “I understood that I would probably never drive a Ferrari,” he says, laughing, “but I had the privilege of living my passion, of traveling, and of sharing my music with the world. And that is worth all the riches.”

Today, Alain Oyono continues his musical journey with a new project entitled Alkiboulan, a trio formed around a bass, a drum, and his saxophone. Together, they explore African roots to draw from them a raw and powerful musical material. Among his compositions, the artist particularly recommends the piece Ma Nature, a work dedicated to climate issues. “I wanted, in my own way, to pay tribute to the planet and remind people that we are going through a critical period.”

A stage musician above all, Alain Oyono lives for contact with the audience. His most memorable memories are not necessarily from the big halls, but from the moments when the unexpected becomes magic. “One day, in London, three keys of my saxophone were not working anymore, but it was nevertheless one of my most beautiful concerts. Music is about accepting imperfection and transforming each moment into grace.”

The artist is multiplying projects and preparing for several important events, including the presentation of one of his pieces during the International Day of Peace, as well as the launch of the Alkiboulan project. Between small intimate stages and large venues, Alain Oyono intends to continue making his saxophone resonate as a unique voice, carrying emotions and universal messages.