Concerts/Festivals Archive
2006
Midsommar Festival in Jakobstad (Pörkenäs)
de Plicque & 12 piece Dynamite Band!
June 24, 2006
de Plicque and The Dynamite Band! in Italy!
& The 12- Piece Dynamite Band!
Musical Director:
Mikael Svarvar
Gospeln är grunden till nästan all pop och rockmusik. Därför är vi i år extra glada över att kunna erbjuda er en gospelupplevelse utöver det vanliga.
Med en karriär som startade 1965 i Texas, USA och därifrån gått vidare via Frankrike till Karleby, Finland är Christian-Charles de Plicque ("Crille" eller: "Risto-Kalle") inget annat än en legend inom gospelmusik i Finland.
Han kommer att bjuda oss på äkta svart gospelmusik från sin nya skiva ”Spirit In The Dark”.
www.deplicque.net
Midsummerfestival
c/o Förbundet Kyrkans Ungdom
PB 46
66901 NYKARLEBY
FINLAND
midsummerfestival 2006
23-24.6. Pörkenäs lägergård, Jakobstad, Finland
Program
Fredag 23.6.
22.00 Llama Inc speltid 45 min
23.15 Random Eyes speltid 60 min
00.30 Tältmöte undervisning 15 min
lovsång och undervisning
med lovsångsteamet & Markus Weckström
02.00 slut
Lördag 24.6.
10.00 morgonmål
11.00 seminarium
undervisning med Markus Weckström
13.00 beachvolleybollturnering
13.00 lunch
15.00 seminarium
undervisning med Markus Weckström
18.00 Maria Cederholm speltid 45 min
19.00 C-C de Plicque speltid 45 min
20.15 Stainless speltid 45 – 60 min
22.00 Ådahl speltid 60 – 90 min
23.30 Tältmöte undervisning 15 min
lovsång, undervisning och nattvard
med lovsångsteamet & Markus Weckström
02.00 slut
Tel. +358-(0)6-7220 527 > Fax: +358-(0)6-7220 527 > E-post: kansliet@kyrkansungdom.nu> Web: www.midsummerfestival.com
ANNO DOMINI MULTIFESTIVAL 2006: June 29-July 4 2006.
Since 2001 another Christian artists event called "Anno Domini Multifestival" held every year in July in a sanctuary up in a mountain (1200m), a beautiful place almost near... Heaven called Oropa(Biella)!
Christian-Charles
de Plicque
Black Gospel Workshop
and performing in 2 Concerts
with
Pianist Jouko Kantola
in Oropa Italia (Near Milan)
June 29th-July 4th 2006
Biella has had a number of names. It was originally called 'Sar' meaning waterway, then 'Brich' meaning 'high ground' then 'ontano' meaning 'alder tree'. The name Biella only surfaced around 826 AD, almost a thousand years after the Romans first got there and called it Bugella. We have to thank the Holy Roman Empire who protected the town from barbaric invasion by building the perimeter wall in the Xth century, then the Vescovo of Vercelli for the present urban layout as he sought to keep the town out of the hands of the Guelfs and Ghibelines.
The recent wealth of Biella was built on the back, literally, of sheep farming and wool production. So much so it was nicknamed the 'Manchester of Italy'. A compliment of sorts.
Like Manchester, Greater Biella is a series of comune spread over the wider territory. Chiavazza, Vaglio, Favaro, Piazzo (reachable by a funicular railway) and 10 other centers from the local economy.
The most interesting, and the furthest away, is Oropa.
It started life as a complex to receive pilgrims and the area is full of chapels, 19 to be precise, and they can be visited following the 'Sacro Monte 19 Capelle' religious route. Oropa can also claim to be have established the first hydrotherapy center in Italy in 1850. Clean body, clean soul.
Biella is a land of Sanctuaries. The most famous is definitely Oropa, which is amongst Europe's most important. Located in a charming hollow, the sacred place is tied to the cult of the Black Madonna, called the Saint Virgin of Oropa. Popular tradition has it that Saint Eusebius, Bishop of Vercelli in the IV C. A.D., was the founder of the Christian cult in Oropa. The Saint supposedly carried the wooden statue of the Virgin, sculpted by Saint Luke, all the way from Jerusalem to Oropa. Construction of an actual church is documented to have been in the 13th C.: since then the Sanctuary has expanded to its present in order to be able to host an increasing number of followers.
Today the monumental structure is composed of the Cloister with the Old Basilica, the New Basilica and the side structures where more than 200 modern rooms have been built for hosting pilgrims. A visit to the Sanctuary of Oropa is much more than a trip to a famous place. Its silences, its clear skies, the trickle of the water in the centrally located Burnell fountain and the green lawns, that are perfect for picnics, are all unforgettable. Must sees include the ex-voto collection in the galleries that run along the buildings, a tangible testimony to the devotion to the Virgin Bruna; the exhibit of the Oropa Valley's flora and fauna; the Sacro Monte and, upon request, the Observatory, the Library and the Sanctuary Treasury.
The Madonna is venerated in Biella at the Sanctuary of Graglia as well. The airy and picturesque Elvo Valley, surrounded by woods of chestnut and beech, was chosen in the XVII C. by the town priest, Don Nicolao Velotti, as an ideal place for the construction of the Sacro Monte, which is made up of a very large Temple and over a hundred chapels, on the San Carlo hills. Unfortunately the initial project was wrecked and, in 1655, it was decided that it should be erected on the Hills of Divina Bontà (Di (Divine Goodness), upon which a chapel dedicated to the Madonna di Loreto, a grandiose Basilica, already existed.
The principal promoter was Duke Charles Emanuel II, who put Captain Piero Arduzzi, a civil and military engineer, in charge of the project to draw up the designs for the building. The Basilica's interiors are adorned with a splendid octagonal cupola which was decorated in 1870 by Fabrizio Galliari, and by the little chapel dedicated to the Madonna of Loreto.
A stay at the Sanctuary of Graglia is made additionally pleasant by the splendid green surroundings and the salubrious waters that surge directly from mountain sources. Just beyond the town of Campiglia, in the Cervo Valley, lies a charming road that winds up the green hill leading to the 1020 meter high Sanctuary of Saint John the Baptist of Andorno. The origin of this sacred place is unknown; around the icon of the Saint's image which was brought here in ancient times and venerated in a natural cave, rose the primitive Church in the XVII C.. This was later enlarged up to its present size, with the suggestive Burnell cloister, the colonnade and the church in the back. The Saint John Sanctuary is connected to the Oropa Sanctuary by a road that is not too easy to travel on as it passes through the Rosazza tunnel. To the three main Sanctuaries, other, so called minor ones, are added that are no less charming and filled with history and art.
Among the reasons for staying in Biella are the events the area offers: the Passion of Sordevolo, a sacred theatrical representation that involves the town's five-hundred inhabitants who, every five years, dress-up like ancient Romans and Jews and in a natural amphitheater recreate the sacred story of the Passion of Christ, referring back to old script.
2006
Upcoming International Gospel Festival and Workshop this summer in Italy
Their Internet site: www.annodomini.org
English version:
Interview of Christian-Charles de Plicque
1 Christian Charles, you were born in Dallas (USA) and in your teenage years were used to sing in choirs and lately in local rock and roll bands: tell me, what age did you start your own solo career?
I started, in rock and roll, around the age of 15 when I as in high school. But as far as working on a fulltime professional level, it was around the age of 17. I sang a lot in the choirs under the direction of the late great James Cleveland for example.
2 You have been singer for seven years also in the Stevie Ray Vaughan's blues band in the sixties: what this experience did leave to you?
Well that is a long story my brother! You need to read some of the 3-4 books about our lives together, before he was famous. That would be the fastest way to know! But....Most people knew and wrote of him, after he was known in the world.
There is a new book that is just published this month, from our old roadie from the 1960's until the time of Stevie's death . And there, I think he gives: "too much" information! But were it not for SRV, I think I would not have ever started as a rock and roll singer.
He is unforgettable and I am still in contact with his family in Dallas and Austin, and with talented guitar playing brother, Jimmie, who is often in concert in Finland.
There is one movie from the book of SRV's life entitled: Caught In The Crossfire, that might soon be in production in Hollywood. In that book though, there are old photos of us together when we were young and the firs 5 or 6 chapters are about the groups he and I formed, with "Blackbird" being the most known in Texas in those days...
Let's see what the new book says! I understand there are photos of us that even I have not seen from when we were teenagers. Nearing the age of 60 now, of course it is wonderful to look back and see how far God has brought me. I don't regret those early years, but it is like reading about life of some other person, as we are a new creation in the Lord when we allow Him to come in!
3 When did you exactly hear the "calling" to minister through the gospel music in your life?
I guess the Call was way back when, when I was a young little fat black boy in Dallas! I just tried to ignore it! But when I really heard Him in that special way, I guess was after I stopped playing with Stevie Ray, returning to Dallas, to continue my university studies in Business Administration, etc. I was around 20 or so I guess.
Actually I never had a call to be a gospel singer per se. Fact is, is that I do not consider myself a good singer at all! But because of the ministry, that has just been part of what I do, and somehow the Lord incorporated that, in all the other 100 things an evangelist has to do. I really consider myself more of an evangelist/missionary that just happens to sing when there is a need for it.
4 When did you land in Finland and why?
Again brother you are asking impossible questions for me to reply to in a simple line! You know the French blood in me, makes it impossible to reply with one sentence! You being Italian know what I mean!
But ok... For the first part of this question, I visited Finland, coming from "home" in Paris, in 1980, as a guest of a Finnish Christian journalist that saw me in Holland. He found a church in the city of Turku, or Åbo as we say in Swedish, that was willing to invite me, unheard, and they paid my plane ticket and took good care of me so well. That was my first time here in the dead of winter. I shall never forget! This finnish guy had great faith. I wish he was my manager today! We saw healings and miracles and the power of the Lord manifested in all the ways we read about in the New Testament. Wow!
I officially moved here, to the city of Lahti , from Paris in 1988 after having a direct call from our Lord and through much prayer and encouragement from my Finnish "family", consisting of 3 married couples, that from 1980, until this very moment, have been there for me and me for them.
Most of the work I have done in Finland, has been more in practical things, such as lecturing in universities, Bible Institute, High schools, in History classes, on the subject of: The Black Man from Slavery To Freedom in American Today; Religion classes of course, teaching about Christianity; French and English classes, and naturally music classes.
That has pretty much been the bulk of my ministry here over the decades. And now and then a concert or festival along the way. We don't have too many of those here sadly, especially for the style of what I do. But that is changing too as Finland is becoming more diversified, with many different people, from different parts of the world, coming to live here.
5 Your experience and collaboration with other artists and choirs (who?) such as Rev. James Cleaveland and Andrae Crouch in Finland and abroad
I have toured with Crouch here in Finland and in Norway. We are still in contact today along with his twin sister Sandra. With all they have to do, it is amazing that they reply to e-mails! To me, this is a sign of someone who has remained humbled and realizes where their gifts come from.
Then there is Bryan Duncan, Jessy Dixon, the great swedish soulful pianist and singer, Per-Erik Hallin, and way too many to mention here in Finland, as well as the Swedish Solveig Leithaug-Henderson and other great norwegian singers.
Most of all, for the past 5-7 years, I have been privilege to be guest of the church in Poland, working with such renowned polish recording artists such as jazz vocalists Marek Balata and the warm Ewa Urgya. Then with Mr. Soul/Gospel of Poland Mietek Mietek SZCZESNIAK.
You probably have seen on my site, the MPEG (download) of me ministering with the anointed "black" polish choir, "TGD". They are totally awesome and it is always a privilege to sing with them. Now THEY have great soloists!
In Poland, I hope to do much more missions work in the days to come, taking the gospel to places there, that normally do not hear it, such as: Jazz festivals, clubs and so on. My "mission " really is, doing just that, taking it to places around the world.
It is always a blessing to work in a Christian environment, but the world needs Jesus. We, as believers, just need to be encouraged and so on. But the world first of all needs to know Him, His Love, His Compassion, His mercy and grace. And then to accept Him as personal Saviour while there is still time. Of course at the end of the day it is a personal decision. But we, as His ambassadors on earth, have this privilege and responsibility, to plant seeds of faith and to show the way, to the Master.
6 How the Christian artist is considered in Finland?
Well I guess it depends on who you are speaking to here. But personally speaking I feel that we are still pioneers in this area. Yes, we have the "fathers of gospel" here, like Jukka Leppilampi, Pekka Simojoki, Lasse Heikkilä, Jaakko Löytty, but they are mostly known in the churches, confirmation camps and so on, as they write the kinds of songs that we sing in church and so on. And I believe that they are supported, in all areas, by the large churches or Christian organisations here that support those particular kinds of ministries.
For people that do thing like what I do, or doing another style of Christian music, and if you do not fit in that "box" that some older leaders seem to feel here, that they consider "Christian", then one will have hard problems getting record contracts, etc. It is hard, if not (in general), impossible to get serious full time Christian management here for example.
Even Christian agents, are rare, if there are any... I "manage" myself for example. That makes my work a bit harder, because it takes so much away from the music and artistic end of things. But complaining doesn't change anything. Prayer does and then we just have to get on with the work!
If you are a young group, and do music that is, for example, not very "evangelistic" then maybe you can get another young person to help you get booked. But if your message is definitely hard hitting gospel, and you are really living that, and giving old satan a real hard time, then for some, it can be difficult. I did not say impossible, but it is a rough road here. Probably for everyone in this line of ministry might say the same thing.
Frankly I think that back in the early '80's, when Finland seemed to be so on fire for Jesus, it was "easier" to announce the gospel message. These days, thanks be to God, it seems that fire is being re-kindled and we have hope! We always have hope because of the Cross amen? You are asking some tough questions brother! We need about a day or two so we could elaborate on this subject...
7 Where in the world you have been ministering?
I guess you might ask where have I not been privileged to minister! For a man with empty pockets, the Lord has allowed me to go in His name to almost every country in Central Europe. I have lived and worked in South Africa during Apartheid.
I began working in England before moving on to my family's homeland France. Still work a lot in Russia and all Scandinavia Countries, Mongolia, etc...
Thanks to Leen and Ria La Riviere, in Holland, when we first met all those decades ago, they were kind enough to open many doors for me to go and announce the Gospel in Europe. I was new to Europe and knew no one in those days involved with "Christian Arts". What you read above is thanks to the Lord using them and to others like them who have really helped me to get started in Europe. And to this day, even after over 35 years in evangelistic work, I still feel like I am "just getting started!"
In your own country, I have traveled all over, to Ischia, Napoli, Asti, Torino, Roma, etc... Not to think of the great italian food that I have been blessed with! (Smile!)
8 What's the Angel House International?
It is a very small Christian Arts Association in our seaside city of Karleby (swedish)...The church I attend and most of my friends in this area of the country are more swedish speaking than finnish speaking. The city is known to most foreigners as: (Kokkola in Finnish).
My goal and vision is to be a kind of "big brother" to some of the young finns I have met over the decades, to encourage, to support in my own small way, to pray with, and then to try to help them in the practical aspects of being a Christian artist. There are not many doing that, especially in our area of the country.
I meet young people all the time here over the years, that come to me after a concert or lecture for example, saying: "We wish we could do what you do, but you know, in Finland, that is impossible to do that, especially on a full-time basis..."
But before I let them go on, I stop them and ask the question:
What does the Bible say about those that believe?
THAT ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE, TO THEM THAT BELIEVE!
And then I add my own little bit of advice:
AND FOR THOSE THAT ARE WILLING TO WORK HARD TO SEE IT COME TO PASS!
Nothing worthwhile in the Kingdom comes easy. You have to do as the late great Mahalia (Jackson) sang: Keep your hands on the plow!
Yes, admittedly here, it is really a rough road, but I tell them that our God is no respector of persons! What He has done for me, so will He do for anyone that calls on His name. Nothing is impossible with God. It doesn't matter if we live, in the States (where Black Gospel is a way of life), or if we are in Italia, or here in Finland, the Lord is Lord of all, including Finland! And you would be amazed to see all the great things that ARE happening here! We are seeing the fruit of our labour!
9 Your music, message and vision today
My music is straight on Gospel. No hidden messages, just the plain truth, God's Truth! It comes in a variety of styles however over the decades. I have been recording since the 60's, so we see and hear on my site, that I have gone through every style possible, some I should have never tried! (ha!) But it was always with a full heart and desire for others to know Jesus.
My message:
OTHERS!
My vision:
OTHERS!
To reach the lost, the suffering, those that Jesus went to, that is my vision, to reach them, with His Love, His mercy, His compassion, His patience... There is healing in His hand!
10 Missionary, journalist, recording artist (how many cd's?)
I think around 25 or so LPs and cds... Some of them are listed on my web site.
Also working with "The black Gospel Band" your finnish group: how can you face all those things?
By faith! By faith!
"The Black Gospel Band!" was my first band, in this area of Finland when I first moved up here from southern Finland.
But my group now, for the past 4 years, has been: "The Dynamite Band!"
My musical director for all I do, with the band and other musical ensembles, is Mikael Svarvar, another great recording artist here in the Finnish swedish language community. Love that brother and I can tell you, there is most definitely hope here when we listen to his recordings and younger people with a new fresh vision for Christian music in Finland.
He worked with me with all the arrangements on my upcoming cd. I could not have done it without him. In fact, he was one of the pushing (encouraging) forces behind me to do it. I have not done a solo project of my own since 1989! Released some compilations, written some songs for Finland for The Eurovision Contest, and for other finnish artists, etc. But this is my first solo project since 1989.
11 Coming soon projects?
Two book projects:
One possible film musical called: "God's Trombones!" project for 2007
I continue writing for our daily newspaper with a weekly column
Two times a week I have a Black Gospel show on Finland's one and only Christian: Radio Dei Broadcasting.
Promoting the new cd when it is released later this year: Spirit In The Dark 100% recorded in Finland and with the Dynamite Band! and special guest artists from here.
12 You have been invited at Anno Domini Multifestival 2006 by the Anno Domini Association: is it your first time in Italy?
No it is not my first time. But the first time in many years!
Did you know the association and its president Aurelio Pitino?
Yes I do! And with great joy! We met many years ago when I was there with my long time friend and guitarist, Jarkka Rissanen. Aurelio, you were so kind of us! I am so looking forward to coming back there to see you brother! Thank you so much for inviting me to come with my former pianist, Jouko Kantola.
Everyone here in Finland knows him, as he is one of the rocks in Gospel in our country. He has recorded so many records himself, produced others and has lead many choirs (some I have had the pleasure to sing as soloist with) and he has been in Christian rock and gospel groups, along with his own solo work.
I think it has been 15 years since we have worked together?! I forget how long it really has been since we have worked together, but the door just has not opened until now. There are very few pianists in Finland, that know anything about playing that true Black Gospel style, and he is one of them. The other is my current musical director Mikael and sadly he could not make the trip. So I e-mailed Jouko and he is glad to come with me!
I know that God is doing great work, for decades through this association and your work Aurelio. We praise God for you and look forward to meeting you later this summer!
13 A good advice and an encouragement to all those Italian gospel choirs and/or Christian artists making now their debut.
OTHERS!
As long as they think that way, the Jesus way, then they will always be successful, for Christ. Do not look at the world, do not look at what the other gospel artists are doing, just stay true to your call and what God has asked of you.
You may not become famous in the eyes of the world. Maybe God wants you to do what He has called you to do, right there in your village, in your town or city. You will always be "FAMOUS" in the Father's eyes. Just be faithful unto Him and He will give you a crown on That Great Day! Then you can give it right back to Him! Glory to God!
Remember: OTHERS!
Shalom!
Christian-Charles de Plicque
www.deplicque.net
L’INTERVISTA The April Interview
By the Director, Aurelio Pitino
of the Annual Anno Domini Multifestival in Italy
coming this summer 2006
Christian-Charles Milton de PLICQUE
Immagine
“...Come ambasciatori in terra, abbiamo questo privilegio
ma anche questa responsabilità:
piantare semi di fede e mostrare il sentiero che porta a Gesù, al Maestro!”
«Christian-Charles, sei nato a Dallas (USA), hai cantato, durante la tua adolescenza in cori gospel e successivamente in gruppi di rock and roll locali: a che età hai iniziato la tua vera carriera da solista?».
«Ho iniziato nel Rock and Roll intorno ai 15 anni quando frequentavo le Superiori. Professionalmente all’eta di 17. Ho cantato a lungo in corali diretti dal grande Rev. James Cleveland (oramai scomparso), per fare un esempio».
«Per circa sette anni hai cantato nella band blues del famoso Steve Ray Vaughan, nei mitici anni ’60: quali esperienze ti ha lasciato?».
« Beh è una lunga storia quella. Dovresti leggere almeno uno dei 3-4 libri che raccontano la nostra vita insieme, prima che Steve diventasse famoso. Sarebbe, il modo, diciamo, più veloce per conoscerlo, ma molta gente l’ha conosciuto e ha scritto di lui dopo essere diventato famoso in tutto il mondo.
C’è un nuovo libro appena pubblicato a febbraio di quest’anno dal nostro vecchio tecnico del suono che racconta aneddoti di vita dal 1960 fino alla scomparsa di Steve. E lì, penso che egli dia “troppe” informazioni; ma se non fosse stato per Steve credo non avrei mai iniziato la mia carriera come cantante di Rock and Roll.
Steve è indimenticabile e ancora oggi sono in contatto con la sua famiglia a Dallas e Austin e con suo fratello Jimmie, chitarrista di grande talento spesso in concerto in Finlandia.
C’è un film ispirato da un libro sulla vita di Steve intitolato: “Caught In The Crossfire” che dovrebbe essere realizzato quanto prima a Hollywood. In quel libro, sebbene ci siano vecchie foto che ci ritraggono insieme quando eravamo giovani e i primi 5 o 6 capitoli parlano dei gruppi che lui ed io avevamo fondato, con i “Blackbird”, uno dei più famosi in Texas a quel tempo… Vedremo che dirà questo nuovo libro… Immagino che ci saranno foto che non vedo da quando ero teenager. A quasi 60 anni adesso, naturalmente è meraviglioso guardare indietro e vedere quanto Dio mi abbia portato lontano. Non rinnego quegli anni…ma è come leggere la vita di un’altra persona, poiché noi siamo una “nuova creatura” in Cristo dal momento che Gli permettiamo di entrare nella nostra vita».
«Quando esattamente nella tua vita hai sentito la “chiamata” al servizio attraverso lo strumento della musica gospel?».
«Credo di aver sentito la chiamata quando ero un ragazzo, un po’ “paffutello”, a Dallas. Ho provato a ignorarla ma quando veramente ho sentito il Signore, e in un modo speciale, penso fosse stato nel momento in cui ho smesso di suonare con Steve Ray, tornando a Dallas per continuare i miei studi universitari in “Amministrazione Aziendale”. Avevo circa 20 anni.
A dire il vero non ho mai sentito in sé la “chiamata” come cantante gospel. Prova ne sia il fatto che non mi considero del tutto un buon cantante ma, a causa del ministero che è stato ed è parte di tutto quello che faccio, in certo qual modo, il Signore ha associato il canto a tutte le altre 100 cose che un evangelista deve fare. Oggi, dunque, considero me stesso più di un evangelista/missionario che… canta solo per caso quando ce n’è bisogno!».
«Quando sei “sbarcato” in Finlandia e... per quale ragione?».
«Ancora una volta, fratello, mi fai domande difficili da rispondere…in poche righe. Tu sai che nelle mie vene scorre sangue francese, ragione per cui non riuscirò a risponderti con una frase soltanto. Tu sei italiano e sai cosa intendo dire, ma ok, per la prima parte di questa domanda.
Ho visitato la Finlandia, per la prima volta, provenendo dalla mia “casa”, da Parigi, nel 1980, come ospite di un giornalista cristiano finlandese che incontrai in Olanda che trovò una chiesa nella città di Turku che fu lieta di invitarmi (pur non avendomi mai ascoltato) e che si fece carico delle spese di viaggio e dell’ospitalità. Quella fu la mia prima volta in Finlandia in pieno inverno. Non lo dimenticherò. Quel giornalista aveva una grande fede. Oggi avrei desiderato fosse il mio manager. Insieme abbiamo visto guarigioni e miracoli e il potere del Signore manifestato in tutti I modi che sappiamo nel Nuovo Testamento: WOW!
Ufficialmente mi sono trasferito qui, nella città di Lahti da Parigi nel 1988 dopo aver sentito una “chiamata” specifica da parte di Dio e per mezzo delle preghiere della mia “famiglia” finlandese, tre coppie di coniugi che dal 1980 a oggi mi hanno incoraggiato dandomi il loro affetto e appoggio corrisposto a mia volta.
La maggior parte del lavoro che ho svolto in Finlandia è stato più nelle cose pratiche come conferenze in università, istituti biblici, scuole superiori, corsi di storia su tematiche come:” I Neri dalla schiavitù alla libertà in America oggi”; corsi di Religione, insegnamenti sulla Cristianità; corsi di francese e inglese e naturalmente corsi di musica.
Questo è all’incirca la maggior parte del mio ministero qui in questi decenni e ogni tanto un concerto o un festival quì e là. Purtroppo non molti in questa terra, almeno per quanto riguarda il mio stile e genere di musica, ma anche questo sta cambiando poiché la Finlandia(come altri paesi europei) sta diventando sempre più multirazziale con gente che viene da ogni parte del mondo per vivere qui ».
«Parlaci della tua esperienza con cori e artisti come Andrae Crouch, per esempio, in Finlandia e all’estero ».
«Sono stato in tour con Crouch in Finlandia e Norvegia. Ancora oggi sono in contatto con la sorella gemella Sandra. Con tutti i loro impegni è sorprendente come rispondano alle mie e_mail. Per me questo è un segno di qualcuno che è rimasto umile e che si rende conto da dove provengono i suoi doni…E poi ancora Bryan Duncan, Jessy Dixon, il grande pianista e cantante soul svedese Per-Erik Hallin, tanti da citare qui in Finlandia come anche la svedese Solveig Leithaug-Henderson, e tanti altri grandi artisti norvegesi ma più di ogni altra cosa, negli ultimi 5-7 anni ho avuto l’onore di essere ospite della chiesa in Polonia e lavorare con artisti come la cantante jazz Mareka Balata, la brava Ewa Urgya e poi ancora con Mr. Soul/Gospel, il polacco Mietek Szczesniak.
Di sicuro avrai notato sul mio sito l’MPEG in cui canto e ministro con la corale “black” ma tutta polacca “TGD”: sono davvero bravi e pieni di “unzione”: hanno anche ottimi solisti ed è sempre un privilegio cantare con loro!
Mi auguro in futuro di lavorare in Polonia ancora di più e portare il Gospel in tanti luoghi e eventi dove solitamente non lo ascoltano come “Jazz Festival”, club e così via…
La mia missione è veramente fare questo: portare il “Vangelo” ovunque nel mondo. E’ sempre una benedizione lavorare nell’ambiente cristiano ma il mondo ha bisogno di Gesù. Noi, come credenti, di certo abbiamo bisogno di essere incoraggiati ma il mondo, prima di ogni cosa, ha bisogno di conoscere Lui, il Suo amore, la Sua compassione e la Sua grazia e poi accettarLo come personale Signore e Salvatore mentre si è ancora in tempo. Naturalmente questa è una decisione personale ma noi come ambasciatori in terra, abbiamo questo privilegio ma anche questa responsabilità: piantare semi di fede e mostrare il sentiero che porta al Maestro!».
«La tua musica, il messaggio, la visione oggi».
«La mia musica il Gospel. Niente messaggi occulti, solo la verità totale. Dio è verità. Nel corso di questi decenni la mia musica ha subito diverse varietà di stili. Ho inciso dischi fin dagli anni ’60 come si può vedere (e ascoltare) nel mio sito e ho provato tutti gli stili possibili e immaginabili (qualcuno avrei potuto evitare di provarlo, a dire il vero) ma sempre col cuore e col pieno desiderio che il prossimo possa conoscere Gesù.
Il mio messaggio: il PROSSIMO! La mia visione: sempre il PROSSIMO!
Raggiungere i perduti, i sofferenti, coloro per cui Gesù è venuto, questa è la mia visione, raggiungerli col Suo amore, la Sua misericordia, la Sua compassione, la Sua pazienza...c’è davvero guarigione nella Sua mano!».
«Missionario, giornalista, cantante: quanti album hai inciso finora?».
«Credo intorno ai 25. Qualcuno di essi si può trovare nel mio sito».
«Leader, inoltre, della band finlandese “The Black Gospel Band”: ma come riesci ad affrontare tutti questi impegni?».
«Per fede, fratello, per fede! “The Black Gospel Band” fu la mia prima band in questa parte della Finlandia, quando per la prima volta mi sono trasferito dal sud di questo paese. La mia nuova band adesso però si chiama “The Dynamite Band”.
Il mio direttore musicale che si occupa sia di me che della band è Mikael Svarvar, un altro grande artista qui della comunità che parla il finnico-svedese. Se lo ascoltassi ti piacerebbe sicuramente. C’è speranza, qui in Finlandia, quando ascoltiamo i suoi dischi, in special modo per i giovani con una nuova e fresca visione per la musica cristiana qui.
Mikael ha lavorato con me per tutti gli arrangiamenti del mio nuovo disco prossimo ad uscire. Senza di lui non sarei mai riuscito a realizzarlo. Infatti, egli è stato una delle persone che mi ha tanto spinto e incoraggiato a farlo. Non realizzo un progetto da solista fin dal 1989. Ho “partecipato a qualche compilation qui, ho scritto canzoni per la Finlandia per l’ “Eurofestival” e per altri artisti finlandesi ma questo decisamente è il mio primo album da solista dal 1989».
«Leader, inoltre, della band finlandese “The Black Gospel Band”: ma come riesci ad affrontare tutti questi impegni?».
«Per fede, fratello, per fede! “The Black Gospel Band” fu la mia prima band in questa parte della Finlandia, quando per la prima volta mi sono trasferito dal sud di questo paese. La mia nuova band adesso però si chiama “The Dynamite Band”.
Il mio direttore musicale che si occupa sia di me che della band è Mikael Svarvar, un altro grande artista qui della comunità che parla il finnico-svedese. Se lo ascoltassi ti piacerebbe sicuramente. C’è speranza, qui in Finlandia, quando ascoltiamo i suoi dischi, in special modo per i giovani con una nuova e fresca visione per la musica cristiana qui.
Mikael ha lavorato con me per tutti gli arrangiamenti del mio nuovo disco prossimo ad uscire. Senza di lui non sarei mai riuscito a realizzarlo. Infatti, egli è stato una delle persone che mi ha tanto spinto e incoraggiato a farlo. Non realizzo un progetto da solista fin dal 1989. Ho “partecipato a qualche compilation qui, ho scritto canzoni per la Finlandia per l’ “Eurofestival” e per altri artisti finlandesi ma questo decisamente è il mio primo album da solista dal 1989».
«Progetti futuri?»
«Due libri. Un progetto di film musicale intitolato:”I tromboni di Dio” per il 2007.
Io continuo, comunque, a scrivere per il nostro quotidiano locale con una colonna settimanale. Due volte alla settimana conduco un programma di musica Black Gospel sull’unica emittente cristiana finlandese: “Radio Dei Broadcasting”. Inoltre la promozione del mio nuovo album “Spirit in the dark” che uscirà nei prossimi mesi. Un disco registrato al 100% in Finlandia con la “Dynamite Band” e qualche “special guest” nostrano».
«Sei stato invitato all’ADM 2006 dall’Associazione Anno Domini: è la tua prima volta in Italia?»
«No, non è la mia prima volta, ma la prima dopo tanti anni...».
«Conoscevi l’associazione e il suo presidente Aurelio Pitino?»
«Oh, naturalmente! E con grande gioia! Ci siamo conosciuti anni fa ad Assisi. Allora ero venuto col mio chitarrista Jarkka Rissanen. Aurelio è stato così gentile nei nostri confronti. Non vedo l’ora di tornare per riabbracciarlo. Lo ringrazio di cuore per avermi invitato insieme al mio pianista Jouko Kantola.
Tutti qui in Finlandia conoscono Jouko: è una delle pietre miliari del Gospel del nostro paese. Ha inciso tanti dischi, ha prodotto artisti e ha diretto numerose corali (con alcune ho il piacere di cantare come solista) ed ha fatto parte di gruppi di rock cristiani e corali gospel.
Credo siano 15 anni che non lavoriamo più insieme e dimentico quanto tempo sia passato da allora ma... la porta non si era ancora aperta fino ad oggi. Ci sono ben pochi pianisti in Finlandia che sanno come si suona davvero il vero stile “Black Gospel” ed egli è sicuramente uno di loro. L’altro è il mio direttore musicale e pianista Mikael che purtroppo non poteva partecipare all’ADM. Così ho inviato una e_mail a Jouko che volentieri ha accettato di accompagnarmi.
Io so che Dio sta compiendo una grande opera nel tempo attraverso questa associazione e il lavoro di Aurelio e del coro Anno Domini. Noi ringraziamo il Signore per lui e non vediamo l’ora di incontrarlo insieme al suo gruppo questa estate a Oropa!».
«Un buon consiglio e un incoraggiamento a tutti quei cori gospel e/o artisti cristiani al loro debutto»
«Il PROSSIMO! Se hanno questa attitudine,che è quella di Gesù, avranno sempre successo in Cristo! E col cuore vi esorto:”Non guardate al mondo né tanto meno quello che gli altri artisti gospel fanno ma rimanete saldi e sinceri alla vostra chiamata e a ciò che Dio vi ha domandato.
Magari non sarete famosi agli occhi del mondo ma Dio desidera che voi facciate ciò per cui Egli vi ha chiamato sia che siate in un paesino, città o metropoli e di certo sarete sempre FAMOSI agli occhi del Padre. Rimanete solo fedeli a Lui ed Egli vi darà una corona nel Grande Giorno! Che voi gli restituirete!Sia gloria a Dio! Ricordate: il PROSSIMO! Pace a voi!”».
Web: www.deplicque.net
2005
2005
The Black Diamond Duo:
Jarkka Rissanen - acoustic and electric guitars, Christian-Charles de Plicque - vocals will begin recording their first acoustic Duo cd in June.
The recording is produced by Rissanen. More info soon!
Christian-Charles de Plicque and The Dynamite Band! Torniossa vappuaattona! 30.4.2005
De
Plicque saapuu yhtyeineen Tornioon vappuaattona: 30.4.2005
Konserttiin on vapaa sisäänpääsy ja se alkaa LLAI:n musiikkitalossa klo.18.00.
Vapaaehtoisuuteen perustuva tuotto lahjoitetaan hyväntekeväisyyteen Mission Possible-järjestön kautta. Tämän kansainvälisen järjestön tavoitteena on, ettei yhdenkään lapsen tarvitsisi asua kadulla. Konserttiin tullessaan voi antaa lahjoituksensa katulapsille, joita yksistään Venäjällä on yli 20000.
Texasissa 1948-syntynyt de Plicque lauloi nuoruudessaan muun muassa kitaristi Stevie Ray Vaughan-yhtyeessä. Nykyisin hän viihtyy paremmin gospelmusiikin parissa, jota myös Torniossa kuullaan. Konserttinimi: "Nothin' But The Truth!" viittaa de Plicquen 2000 ilmestyneeseen samannimiseen äänitteeseen.
Tornioon saapuvan viisimehisen yhtyeen musiikinjohtajana on laulava pianisti Mikael Svarvar. Myös Tornion konsertissa hän sekä laulaa että soittaa koskettimia. Svarvar on tuttu myös Aki Sirkesalon ja monien muiden suomalaisartistien sovittajana ja soittajana. Soolokeikkojensa ohessa hän on toimii myös FST:n Bissibongarit ohjelman kapellimestarina.
www.deplicque.net
Lehdistötiedote 15.4.2005
Lisätietoja: Samuli Pulkkinen, 044-2626085.
de Plicque and Band! Live!
At
Tornio City's New Music House (Tornion musiikkitalo) - 30th April
2005
Musical Director: Mikael Svarvar
More info upcoming
Black Diamond Duo! - 6th April
Jarkka Rissanen / Christian-Charles de Plicque
Chess Music Bar in Karleby. Performance time: 8 p.m. 6th April 2005
Blues och Gospel på Chess (ÖB Lördag 2 april 2005)
The 2005 Music of the Late Great Mahalia Jackson Tour: Scandinavian/Central European Tour
Switzerland 2005 Zurich, Geneva, Lausanne
Black Diamond Duo! - 6th April
Jarkka Rissanen / Christian-Charles de Plicque
Chess Music Bar in Karleby. Performance time: 8 p.m. 6th April 2005
10 February 2005
Black Diamond Duo (Österbottningen piece)
2004
Kaamos Jazz - The Black Diamond Duo 25-28th November
Saariselkä's Evangelical Lutheran Chapel (Lapland)
5 Concerts: 2 in the Saariselkä Chapel, 3 on the main Festival
Stage. http://tankavaara.net/kaamosjazz/
http://www.saariselka.fi/fin/kappeli.html
"The Gospel & Evangelism"
Christian-Charles, Guest Speaker
Date 18.10.2004
(18th October 2004)
Sponsored by: SLEY
The Evangelical Students of Karleby/Kokkola Meeting
The Place: Karleby
Kyrka / Kokkolan
Kirkko / (The Kokkolan Evangelical Lutheran Church)Församlingshem / Seurakuntakesku
Monttu
Time: 7 p.m./ kl./ klo. 19
Address:
Torggatan/Torikatu 41
Montpellier, France (Summer 2004) - July / August
Poland - 18th-27th August
- Grudziadz
- Osiek
- Gydnia
- Sopot
- Gdansk
Mongolia - August
1st-13th August
Mongolia - Christian-Charles de Plicque and Musical Director Jouko Kanotla
4th and 5th August
Ministering in Praise and Worship at the Dr. Paul Yonggi Cho (Seoul KOREA) Mass Evangelistic Outreach in Mongolia:
6th-12th August
Performing at The State Phiharmonic Symphony Concert Palace
- Concert at the Russican Cultural Center
- Visitng schools, village and city churches
- Radio and TV interviews
- Countryside trip to Terelj
- Visiting Christian Organisations around the country
- Farewell Dinner given for the Mininsry of Christian-Charles and Angel House International Missions Ministries
- de Plicque and Kanotla will have the privilege of working together with top-notched jazz mongolian musicians for these particular events.
The Polish Annual Song of Songs National Gospel Festival 21-28 June 2004
Broadcast
Live! on Polish National Television from the city of Torun, Poland.
Live!
Cd recording of the Festival available shortly afterwards. www.songofsongs.pl
Oravais (Oravainen, Finland) - 15-16 June 2004
Karleby's Café Backstage's: "Out of School Celebration!"- 29 May 2004
de Plicque/Svarvar Gospel Explosion Band!
Christian Artists Seminar Florence Italy -
29 May -June 2, 2004.
Centro Evangelico "Poggio Ubertini"
(vicino a Firenze)
da sabato 29 maggio a mercoledì 2 giugno 2004.
tentative
The Fire Duo! - 5.5. kl. 18.00.
Mikael Svarvar & Christian-Charles de Plicque. Gamlakarleby's Football Church. With Congregation Pastor Per Stenberg.
Karleby/Kokkola's FIRST JESUS MARCH! - 1st May
Zurich Switzerland - 30.3.04 - 8.4.2004
Karlebys' Pentecostal Church Spring Praise! - 25.4.2004
Special Guest: The Fire Duo! Mikael Svarvar, piano and vocals. Christian-Charles de Plicque, vocals.
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