ALBERT DURAND

If it is a Praslinois that worth the visit it is Albert Durand. This Jura, which has never returned from his native land, has long led the life of artist, since he was one of the members of Mickey and The Buccaneers, the largest seychelles group in the years 1960/70. A group whose star singer, Mickey (brother of James Mancham, the first president of the Republic) was somehow Elvis of the Indian Ocean. These buccaneer registred many 45-Tours and gave many concerts. «Welcome to the Seychelles» and «loved the Seychelles» were very popular songs for a long time. But fate meant that Daniel Marie, Frank Juliet, Jack Yokowo, Ron Rose and Albert Durand lost their leader, who died as a result of a mysterious road accident. Without his charismatic singer, the group would have to dissolve.

From this glorious time, Albert kept only memories, and his guitar, a Jaguar Promo. He also cared for an ancient echo, which belonged to the Shadows… These tiny vestiges are now endemic in his workshop, located in front of the school of Baie Sainte-Anne. Here, the artist turned into a craftsman, or rather a master of fish painted in wood! After the work of the turtle scale, the ex-guitarist quickly found himself forced to retrain in another slot, with any trade related to the turtle banned. He then chooses to cut fish into takamaka or calyx woods, and then paint them, success to the key, with a very strong demand from the souvenir shops. Albert has trouble providing, especially since he wants to keep time for talking with tourists who stop in his studio to buy (at friend price) their painted pwason and which sometimes comes one hour later. Indeed, we quickly attached to this toothless and long-hair character, a pirate look that suggested him to such a role in the Pirate of Roman Polanski, some of whose scenes were filmed on the beach of Côte d'Or: " I had an important role, that of the second pirate. It told me 2 000 SR per week. What a atmosphere! " There would be hours to listen to Mr. Durand who has so much to tell, including his memories of musician, but also of diver, when Cousteau came to film in Seychelles this World of silence. Strong moments where tourism becomes synonymous with authentic encounters!