Somewhere between musical wanderer and uncertified ethnomusicologist dwells the artist Cory Seznec and his unique world. Busking misadventures with Malian musicians in the Paris metro led him to Songhai songsters in Timbuktu and ancient omutibo guitarists in Western Kenya. Feverish touring with the world roots trio Groanbox gave him his sea legs. But a three-year stint in Ethiopia is what cracked everything open. Seznec held a weekly gig in Mulatu Astatke’s jazz club while recording two albums with musicians in Addis and embarking on rugged field recording trips across the Ethiopian highlands. These experiences shaped Seznec into an artist who traces the through-line across musical cultures and whose songs let the past reverberate in the present. 

A French-American in Paris, Seznec’s fingerstyle guitar-playing is syncopated, polyrhythmic, cross-pollinated, and idiosyncratic. He also sings, plays old-time banjo, and wades in the deep river of American song. Seznec is currently at work on three projects—a solo album entitled Deep of Time; a new album with Touki, a collective created by himself and Senegalese musician Amadou Diagne (it was recorded at Real World Studios); and a research project celebrating the life and music of Malawian musician Daniel Kachamba (1947-1987).

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The early sparks of Seznec’s career ignited in London in 2005 after an encounter with American accordionist Michael Ward-Bergeman. The two created the absurdo-spiritualist world roots group Groanbox, adding Canadian percussionist Paul Clifford and subsequently Englishman Oscar Cainer as producer. With Groanbox, Seznec Bros (with sound designer brother Yann) and others he embarked on countless European and North American tours.

Following stints in New York City and London, Seznec emigrated to France in 2009.  A co-founder of the Sawmill Sessions, this collective soon became the epicenter of the old-time/folk/bluegrass scene in Paris, featuring monthly jams, workshops, and regular concerts. In addition to his normal performance schedule, he also began a regular series of concert-lectures at the Musée de la musique (Philharmonie), performances in hospitals around the greater Paris area with the Association Tournesol, and composition for theater and film, including the football documentary Aux pieds de la gloire directed by Fabrice Macaux (Arte).

Cory then moved to Ethiopia for three and a half years, a time of great experimentation during which he traveled feverishly and collaborated with myriad artists, forming two bands: MistO-MistO and Damakase with whom he recorded two albums. Myriad trips throughout the country opened his eyes and ears to Ethiopian traditional music, and powerful experiences including a near death car trip in the mountains reshaped his worldview. 

In July 2016, Seznec headed to Luhya country in western Kenya with filmmaker Gonzalo Guajardo to make a documentary on some of the remaining omutibo style guitar players (released in 2018). In addition he has recorded three video lessons of some of his guitar arrangements for Stefan Grossman’s Guitar Workshop (released 2017 and 2019). He was a featured guitar instructor at the Swannanoa Gathering in Asheville, North Carolina in 2021, 2022 and 2023. To date he has released four albums: Beauty In The Dirt (2014), Backroad Carnival (2017), Eyes on the Rise (2022) and Deep of Time (2024).

A subtle and fresh fusion that is further boosted by Seznec’s voice, a dextrous, resonant drawl that brings out the color of his songs.✪✪✪✪ —SONGLINES