Summer is slowly coming to an end, and I feel deeply rejuvenated. The three weeks I spent in Banff, Alberta, Canada, for the Jazz & Sonic Arts program were a wonderful experience. Being surrounded by mountains, rivers, and light that changes minute by minute, in the company of artists each more inspiring than the last, has given me a wonderful burst of energy that I intend to enjoy as much as possible. I am delighted to be slowly entering September with some wonderful premieres, lots of projects getting back on track, and others blossoming during upcoming residencies.

NAWĀ PREMIERE IN JAZZ STATION 31/10

I am delighted to announce the premiere of Nawā, a project that is particularly close to my heart. Last year, Jazz Station gave me carte blanche, and I decided to invite singer and oud player Sarra Douik to take part. Unfortunately, we were unable to meet as planned last fall, but we developed a remote composition process, sending each other ideas to work on together. Next October, the four of us—Sarra, Zé Almeida on double bass, Pierre Hurty on drums, and myself—will finally have the pleasure of coming together for the premiere of this new collaboration.

In Arabic, Nawā means both “seed” and “intention”, sharing the spirit of the music; a core where diverse influences meet together and a shared desire to tell stories through it. At the root of our poetic intent, our seed is a reflection on trees. A poem written by Sarra speaks of an old tree passing water, air, and the wisdom of its life to the younger ones around it. As a seed, Nawā symbolizes origin and essence, the inner core of who we are between layers of inherited culture, history and memory. As an intention, the word evokes the will to move, to cross boundaries and to imagine a different future. In this dual meaning, “nawā” captures the tension between rootedness and motion, memory and transmission, and becomes the metamorphosis of lives shaped by migration, displacement and the search for self through changing landscapes.

DOUBLE BILL

at MARNI JAZZ FESTIVAL

I am very happy to have been invited by two artists with carte blanche at the Marni Jazz Festival to help them create their new repertoires. I will be alongside alejandra borzyk, Diogo Alexandre, Benoît Quentin, and Maria João for the premiere of Tremor on September 12, and a few days later with Fabrizio Cassol, Rodriguez Vangama, and Ezgi Elkirmis on the 18th. If you are in Brussels, don't miss these wonderful evenings!

VIDEO LIVE RELEASES

Live videos of last spring's concerts are finally available. You can find the performance of my quartet's showcase at Jazzahead as well as the complete live recording of the Notes on the Memory of Notes concert at the Camargo Foundation.