After leaving his native island of Madagascar at the age of twelve, Tao Ravao took up the mandolin, then the banjo, and finally the guitar. He worked all over Europe for seven years as a street musician. During this time, he met one of his biggest musical influences: Homesick James, the father of electric blues. When Ravao later returned to Madagascar he became fascinated by the island’s music and started to play traditional Malagasy tunes as part of a trio. He excels in kabosy and vahila.