Latest news with #JazzablancaFestival
Ya Biladi
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Ya Biladi
Jazzablanca 2025 : From Jazz to urban poetry, TIF and Alfa Mist light up Anfa Park
The 18th edition of the Jazzablanca Festival delivered an exceptional evening on Wednesday, spotlighting two distinctive artists: TIF, a rising star in the rap scene, and Alfa Mist, a British pianist and composer known for blending jazz with hip-hop influences. Opening the night, Alfa Mist mesmerized the audience with a sophisticated performance, weaving together elements of jazz, soul, and hip-hop in his compositions. Joined by his accomplished quintet, the artist delivered a set marked by seamless transitions between instrumental pieces and rap vocals, creating an intimate atmosphere that resonated deeply with the crowd. The precision of the performance and the richness of the musical palette were met with enthusiastic applause. On a different note, the Casa Anfa stage welcomed rapper TIF, who captivated the audience with his lyrical depth, live vocals, and dynamic instrumentation. Performing standout tracks such as Hinata, Amnesia, and No Party, TIF drew from his two EPs, Houma Sweet Houma and 1.6, to explore a range of personal and social themes. TIF's performance stood out for its emotional intensity, artistic commitment, and musicality, forging a strong connection with a young, energetic audience drawn in by a fresh and unconventional take on rap. This unique double bill highlighted Jazzablanca's ongoing commitment to showcasing the richness and diversity of today's musical landscape, uniting artists with singular artistic journeys on its stages. Running through July 12, Jazzablanca continues to offer an immersive experience that lies at the heart of its identity. At Anfa Park, festivalgoers enjoy a thoughtfully designed space featuring two main stages, food courts, chill-out zones, and a welcoming atmosphere that fosters community and creativity. In addition, as part of the festival's 18th edition, the Nouveau Souffle stage has been set up in the Arab League Park, offering four free concerts featuring Daraa Tribes, Mehdi Qamoum, Anas Chlih Quintet, and Soukaina Fahsi.
Ya Biladi
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Ya Biladi
Jazzablanca 2025 : Maalem Bekkas and Waaju bridge Morocco and the UK through Gnaoua-Jazz
مدة القراءة: 3' After a long collaboration with the London jazz ensemble Waaju, Majid Bekkas proudly marked his return home with the collective album Alouane, surrounded by his musical companions. During the 18th edition of the Jazzablanca Festival (July 3 to 12, 2025), the pioneer of African-Gnawa blues presented this vibrant musical project for the first time in Morocco. Co-created with the British group known for blending Latin polyrhythms, Malian psychedelic blues, and European arrangements, the performance on Stage 21 was warmly welcomed by an audience that has long appreciated Bekkas's unique sonic explorations, a master of traditional, classical, local, and global musical languages. Each of Bekkas's collaborations carries the spirit of discovery. In addition to being a multi-instrumentalist, the Gnawa maestro has consistently forged musical connections with artists from around the world, crafting unforgettable creations. Over the years, these artistic friendships have brought together musicians from Morocco and abroad. This particular project with Waaju holds a special place in his heart, he told Yabiladi before going on stage. «With Waaju, we first met during a festival in Poland. While talking with the members, I discovered that they already knew my repertoire, had listened to my albums, and even worked on some of my compositions!» he said. The British ensemble, whose name means «to encourage, inspire, or influence to act» in Bambara, a West African lingua franca, later proposed a collaboration with Bekkas. «Eventually, they invited me to London. We performed together at a festival, recorded a live album, and later played at the legendary Jazz Café. We've built a rich history of artistic work, and we're very happy to present it in Morocco for the first time», he recalled. Composer and drummer Ben Brown, who founded Waaju, also spoke to Yabiladi about his musical inspirations and admiration for Bekkas. «I've always loved Gnawa music. Its mix of deep spirituality and joy fascinates me as an artist. I particularly appreciate Majid's unique approach, it's more delicate and dynamic. I really admire his incredible collaborations, which have opened so many new paths for the genre», he shared before their concert. Waaju, Enchanted by Gnawa-Jazz Bekkas began studying traditional Gnawa music in the 1970s, while also receiving classical training at the conservatory. He has performed abroad since the late 1990s, collaborating with major figures such as Randy Weston, Omar Sosa, Wessell Anderson, the late Stephen McCraven, Ramon Lopez, and African greats like Aly Keïta and Bassi Kouyaté. Over the decades, he has often invited these peers to perform in Morocco, celebrating the limitless possibilities of Gnawa-jazz fusion. This universal approach, Bekkas explained, is especially meaningful when it resonates in his home country: «I've always enjoyed playing with different musicians, learning from others, and opening up to diverse cultures. This process defines who I am, it's what I'll keep doing for the rest of my life. I will always collaborate with artists from here and abroad because we all speak the same language: music. It's the most powerful way to understand each other and stay united across the world». Ben Brown, inspired by his collaboration with Bekkas, expressed his appreciation to Yabiladi: «Working with Majid has been one of the most fulfilling projects of my life. Everything came together so perfectly, beyond what I had imagined, both creatively and logistically». «We allowed ourselves to be inspired by familiar Gnawa tones, playing with different rhythmic shades to bring out new colors. In a word, Alouane was an amazing shared experience», said Brown. Despite the challenges of working across continents, he added, each moment spent on this project felt special. «It's a real honor to play with Majid Bekkas. I'm truly proud of the sound we've found together—it's something authentic and deeply personal». During this remarkable concert, the two musical worlds merged seamlessly. The audience responded to the artists' joy and generosity with matching enthusiasm. The festive magic of the music cast its spell, and Alouane came to life, bright and borderless.
Ya Biladi
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Ya Biladi
Jazzablanca 2025 : Maalem Bekkas and Waaju bridge Morocco and the UK through Gnaoua-Jazz
After a long collaboration with the London jazz ensemble Waaju, Majid Bekkas proudly marked his return home with the collective album Alouane, surrounded by his musical companions. During the 18th edition of the Jazzablanca Festival (July 3 to 12, 2025), the pioneer of African-Gnawa blues presented this vibrant musical project for the first time in Morocco. Co-created with the British group known for blending Latin polyrhythms, Malian psychedelic blues, and European arrangements, the performance on Stage 21 was warmly welcomed by an audience that has long appreciated Bekkas's unique sonic explorations, a master of traditional, classical, local, and global musical languages. Each of Bekkas's collaborations carries the spirit of discovery. In addition to being a multi-instrumentalist, the Gnawa maestro has consistently forged musical connections with artists from around the world, crafting unforgettable creations. Over the years, these artistic friendships have brought together musicians from Morocco and abroad. This particular project with Waaju holds a special place in his heart, he told Yabiladi before going on stage. «With Waaju, we first met during a festival in Poland. While talking with the members, I discovered that they already knew my repertoire, had listened to my albums, and even worked on some of my compositions!» he said. The British ensemble, whose name means «to encourage, inspire, or influence to act» in Bambara, a West African lingua franca, later proposed a collaboration with Bekkas. «Eventually, they invited me to London. We performed together at a festival, recorded a live album, and later played at the legendary Jazz Café. We've built a rich history of artistic work, and we're very happy to present it in Morocco for the first time», he recalled. Composer and drummer Ben Brown, who founded Waaju, also spoke to Yabiladi about his musical inspirations and admiration for Bekkas. «I've always loved Gnawa music. Its mix of deep spirituality and joy fascinates me as an artist. I particularly appreciate Majid's unique approach, it's more delicate and dynamic. I really admire his incredible collaborations, which have opened so many new paths for the genre», he shared before their concert. Waaju, Enchanted by Gnawa-Jazz Bekkas began studying traditional Gnawa music in the 1970s, while also receiving classical training at the conservatory. He has performed abroad since the late 1990s, collaborating with major figures such as Randy Weston, Omar Sosa, Wessell Anderson, the late Stephen McCraven, Ramon Lopez, and African greats like Aly Keïta and Bassi Kouyaté. Over the decades, he has often invited these peers to perform in Morocco, celebrating the limitless possibilities of Gnawa-jazz fusion. This universal approach, Bekkas explained, is especially meaningful when it resonates in his home country: «I've always enjoyed playing with different musicians, learning from others, and opening up to diverse cultures. This process defines who I am, it's what I'll keep doing for the rest of my life. I will always collaborate with artists from here and abroad because we all speak the same language: music. It's the most powerful way to understand each other and stay united across the world». Ben Brown, inspired by his collaboration with Bekkas, expressed his appreciation to Yabiladi: «Working with Majid has been one of the most fulfilling projects of my life. Everything came together so perfectly, beyond what I had imagined, both creatively and logistically». «We allowed ourselves to be inspired by familiar Gnawa tones, playing with different rhythmic shades to bring out new colors. In a word, Alouane was an amazing shared experience», said Brown. Despite the challenges of working across continents, he added, each moment spent on this project felt special. «It's a real honor to play with Majid Bekkas. I'm truly proud of the sound we've found together—it's something authentic and deeply personal». During this remarkable concert, the two musical worlds merged seamlessly. The audience responded to the artists' joy and generosity with matching enthusiasm. The festive magic of the music cast its spell, and Alouane came to life, bright and borderless.
Ya Biladi
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Ya Biladi
Jazzablanca 2025, a ten day jazz extravaganza in Casablanca
As part of its newly extended ten-day program, the Jazzablanca Festival will fill Casablanca with jazz from July 3 to 12, 2025. Alongside the ticketed concerts on Stages 21 and Casa Anfa at Anfa Park, the city will also host a series of free performances at the Nouveau Souffle stage in the Arab League Park. This open-access program includes four concerts featuring desert blues, gnaoua, jazz, and soul. Organizers say the aim is to reimagine public space through «proximity and discovery» in an intimate, listener-friendly setting. On Fridays and Saturdays, July 4–5 and 11–12, concerts will feature Daraa Tribes, Mehdi Qamoum, Anas Chlih Quintet, and Soukaina Fahsi. Meanwhile, the lively «Fanfare en Ville», led by New Orleans trombonist and vocalist Glen David Andrews, will bring jazz, funk, and gospel to the streets with musical parades on July 3–5 and 10–12. These parades will march from the Hassan II Mosque to El Hank, Rick's Café to the Central Market, and from Anfa Place to Hôtel Suisse. The festival's 18th edition also offers a packed lineup at Anfa Park. It kicks off July 3 with El Comité (Cuba), Hindi Zahra (Morocco), and Seal (UK). July 4 features Marcin (Poland), Seu Jorge (Brazil), and Kool & The Gang (USA), followed on July 5 by Nubya Garcia (UK), Caravan Palace (France), and the Black Eyed Peas (USA). Other highlights include Salif Keita Acoustic and Aïta Mon Amour (July 6), Emel and Jordan Rakei (July 7), Waaju, Majid Bekkas Trio, and Ezra Collective (July 8), Alfa Mist and Tif (July 9), and the Faraj Suleiman Jazz Quintet, Cory Henry & The Funk Apostles, and Parcels (July 10). On July 11, Dominique Fils-Aimé (Canada), Oum (Morocco), and Ibrahim Maalouf with The Trumpets of Michel-Ange will take the stage. The festival concludes on July 12 with Jupiter & Okwess (DRC), Hamid El Kasri & Mehdi Nassouli + Guests (Morocco), and Macklemore (USA).
