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The Jazz Festival at La Villette, scheduled from August 30 to September 10 at Parc de la Villette, is set to present a radiant tribute to Africa this year, highlighting how tradition and modernity can coalesce in harmony.
One of the event’s rising luminaries, Mali’s Oumou Sangaré, will perform on September 6. She embodies a seamless blend of the ages: while striving for innovation, she remains deeply tethered to her cultural roots. Enthralled by the ethnic richness of Wassoulou, a region in her native Mali, Sangaré told AFP that she seeks to “modernize” her music while safeguarding its core essence. Situated at the crossroads of three African nations – Mali, Ivory Coast and Guinea –, she leverages music to champion women’s emancipation. With her pioneering approach, she weaves instruments like the electric bass and violin into the traditional sounds of the n’goni. A shift that, by her account, resonates profoundly with audiences.
This fusion of the old and new mirrors the sentiments of cellist Vincent Segal, who emphasizes that in Africa, “tradition doesn’t mean stagnation.” For him, the continent epitomizes creativity, a sentiment nurtured since his childhood when he was captivated by African rhythms.
Among other featured artists, Ethiopian vibraphonist Mulatu Astatke also stands out. With roots tracing back to the 1960s in New York, Astatke has become a connoisseur of ethio-jazz, a nuanced blend of jazz and traditional Amaris sounds. Having returned to Ethiopia, he played a pivotal role in the rise of the “swinging Addis,” an amalgamation of diverse musical genres. Today, at 79, he is revered as one of the last stalwarts of this style.
The Togo Nana Benz, a female trio, introduces a contemporary touch with their voodoo chants accentuated by electronic beats, encapsulating what they term “digital voodoo.”
The indelible influence of African music on jazz is worth noting, a sentiment echoed by double bassist Henri Texier. “Without the resonance of African music, there is no jazz,” he proclaims. Texier, enriched by his extensive tours in Africa with the Romano-Sclavis-Texier trio, stresses the omnipresence of music on the continent.
The festival will also welcome other jazz ensembles imbued with African inspirations, like the Ezra Collective and Balimaya from the bustling London scene, or the Freshwater Tiger, which draws influence from Ethiopia.
For Henri Texier, Africa remains an inexhaustible wellspring of inspiration. “Music is everywhere,” he asserts. A statement that heralds a rendition of the Jazz Festival at La Villette that’s poised to be brimming with discovery and emotion.
With AFP
