For this lefthander who plays the guitar upside down, music is a mean for him to depict his native island. Cradled by the blues and the jazz since his childhood, he has embarked on the path of his model, Louis Amstrong. An encounter.

He sings about the Mauritian realities, highlighting the different nations who have put aside their differences to live in harmony. On the international as well as on the local stage, Eric Triton holds the same language: that of tolerance. "I tell the reverse side of the post card, the one that the tourists who come to spend their holidays in Mauritius may not know," confides the singer. He sings in Creole and incorporates the swing, blues and funk. Lots of influences which made him won an international recognition for several years now.
However, even if he has certainly surpassed his childhood dreams, this unique artist is true to himself. At the Serge Constantin in Vacoas, where he is currently devising a show along with other local artists, Eric Triton is a relaxed joker, but still remains a concerned professional to handle the least details. Between two rehearsals, he asks the stage-manager to turn the microphone of the choir, request the percussionists to increase the rhythm and exchange a few words with Menwar, another Mauritian artist much popular in the Indian Ocean.
Eric Triton is back after spending years on the international stages. A fair reward for an artist with an impressive path. His beginnings have not been easy. Born into a modest family, Eric Triton has always been swayed by music. His masters: Louis Amstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, James Brown, or yet Sarah Vaughan. Fascinated by music, he obviously starts to play the guitar. His friends willingly lend him their instruments, but it was out of question to reverse the wires. Because, Eric is left handered. He learns to play in reverse! A blessing in disguise.

An immediate success

This all-accomplished artist has always wanted to live on his music. Thus, he joins an animation team in a hotel. It's there that a vacationer, Jacques Higelin notices and boosts him onto the international stage. The Mauritian then went to Réunion Island and shortly after, released his first album: "Blues dan mwa." The success is immediate. Eric Triton holds concert after concert and travels thanks to his music. He carries on the first parts of international artists: Gérard de Palmas, Sharon Jones, Laura Pausini and many other singers. "I have always been very lucky throughout my career. I worked really hard to succeed and I must say that today my dreams have come true," he confides with a smile.
Since his beginnings in hotels, the child from the Cité Père Laval has quite succeeded. His way of playing the guitar is often being compared with Hendrix. But success hasn't changed him. He has remained humble and close to his audience. During his tour in Mauritius, Eric Triton is always willing to share a few words with his audience that has remained faithful to him. One can note a certain pride in the eyes of his admirers of seeing a local child carrying the Mauritian colours with dignity. As far as his future plans are concerned, Eric Triton is currently recording a song that will be used for the soundtrack of a local movie.

Text and photos : Guillaume Gouges