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Toufic Farroukh will unveil his new album "Untamed Elegance" on its release March 24, 2023 on Scale Art & Culture / Baco Distrib. This new work will be presented live on stage on Thursday April 6, 2023 at Studio de L'Ermitage (Paris). « Toufic Farroukh's music is multi-faceted, nourished by jazz, Arabic, Brazilian, Balkan or even classical influences. Carefully and lovingly constructed, Untamed Elegance is a record that, not without modesty, reveals the discreet and persistent beauties of a great journey outside of time and fashion. » Denis Desassis Toufic Farroukh (Saxophones, Percussion) surrounded himself with: Leandro Aconcha : Acoustic Piano & Keyboards, Jean-Luc Lehr : El. Bass (Except 3, 5, 7 & 8), Xavier Rogé : Drums, Benachir Boukhatem : Violin, Justina Zajancauskaite : Violin, Lilla Peron : Viola, Sary Khalifé : Cello, Sylvain Gontard : Trumpet & Flugelhorn, Paco Andreo : Valve Trombone, Fanny Laignelot : Flute & Piccolo, Julien Chabod : Clarinet. The artist also invited to participate to this album:  Roberto Garcia -Vocal (3) Nelson Veras - Acoustic Guitar (3 & 11) Marc Buronfosse - Double Bass (3, 5, 7 & 8) Sophie Lascombes- Mayrand - Oboe & English Horn (1) Cedric Bonnet - French Horn (1) Ali Khatib - Req & Bendir (2, 3 & 5) Walid Baba Nasser - Darbouka & Bendir (2, 3 & 5) Presentation Five years have passed since the publication of Villes invisibles, Toufic Farroukh's last opus, which celebrated the art of conversation through a dialogue inhabited by the dream of women and men living in harmony in cities that are finally peaceful. But if the pulse of music beats at its own pace, life sometimes imposes its own tempo and can lead creators to take the wrong path.  Indeed, to understand the story of Untamed Elegance - whose title reflects an admiration for Wynton Marsalis and his Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra - we must go back to 2017, when Toufic Farroukh accepted to honor a commission by writing "À la frontière de...". A fifty-minute suite for symphony orchestra and jazz quartet, co-arranged by the pianist Leandro Aconcha. This program, which was performed only once in Beirut in 2018 with the Lebanese Philharmonic Orchestra and the Toufic Farroukh Quartet, conducted by Alexandre Piquion, is the source of what would come later. This is a new project with a smaller ensemble, which took more than three years to conceive, write and record. This project, subject to the constraints of a worldwide pandemic, was driven by a deep desire to serve the music. (...) Denis Desassis

Roberta Roman will unveil her new album « La Petite Naples, opération Sultan » on its release February 24, 2023 on Entourage Contempo / Absilone / Socadisc. This new work will be presented live on stage on Thursday February 2, 2023 at Mucem Museum (Marseille, France). Roberta Roman's musical project aims to retrace the history of "La Petite Naples Marseille", from its creation to its elimination. At the base of this project there is the collaboration of the historian Michel Ficetola and the guitarist Roberta Roman. For the instrumental part Roberta Roman invited Marisa Mercadé (bandoneon) and Michèle Pierre (cello) surrounded by Vincent Beer-Demander (mandolin), but also Claude Salmieri (percussion) and Antonella Mazza (bass). For the vocal part of this project, the main artist has invited very beautiful voices who come to illustrate, sing and tell the story of this community exiled in Marseille and decimated in 1943 by the French authorities. Among these guests we will find the following singers, narrators, rappers: Petra Magoni (Italian singer), Manu Théron (Marseilles singer), Raiz (Neapolitan singer), Akhenaton (rapper), Lucariello (Italian rapper) and Vincenzo Volpe (voice narrator). I would be happy to send you a copy of the album and any other additional information (visuals, press kit) for announcements and/or interviews. “After the first album “T4NO, tango napoletano”, “La Petite Naples, l’opération Sultan” represents the second part of my work around the influence of Neapolitan culture and music in the world. It aims to highlight the relationship between two cities in the Mediterranean basin: Naples and Marseille. Marseille, a stopover city on the long road to exile to the United States and Argentina, becomes for many Neapolitans a home port, then a home and finally a new homeland... This project is not only part of an artistic and musical approach. It is also social and ideological. For this reason, supported by my friends who actively participated in the production of this cd, I fight all forms of discrimination and advocate the strictest respect for human rights”. (Roberta Roman) OPERATION “SULTAN”: Under the impetus of Philippe Pétain (French head of state in Vichy) and Pierre Laval (head of the Vichy government), both anxious to materialize their "national revolution", French collaborators took advantage of the German occupation of Marseille (from November 1942), to destroy the Saint-Jean district, during the last phase of Operation Sultan, from February the 1st till the 19th 1943, with the systematic blasting of 1,500 buildings, over 14 hectares. This, after having expelled, with the help of the military forces, its 20,000 inhabitants, on Sunday January 24th  1943, during the roundup of the Old Port, organized by the Nazis in partnership with their cronies, who included René Bousquet, chief of police of Vichy. This action was recognized as a crime against humanity by the French Public Prosecutor, on May 17, 2019. (Michel Ficetola, historian and author, specialist in the history of the Neapolitan community of Marseille and the Operation “Sultan” which wiped out Marseille's Little Naples).

Sorry, this entry is only available in FR.La chanteuse franco-iranienne Ariana Vafadari présentera "Anahita" son dernier album (sorti en mars 2020 chez Quart de Lune / UVM / Idol) le samedi 28 janvier 2023 à 20h00 (ouvertures des portes à 19h30) sur la scène du Café de la Danse, avec la participation exceptionnelle de Rana Gorgani (danse sacrée). "Anahita", est une pièce musicale et onirique, composée et interprétée par Ariana Vafadari sur un livret écrit en collaboration avec Leili Anvar. Ariana, mezzo-soprano sera accompagnée de : - Julien Carton (piano) - Leila Soldevilla (contrebasse) - Rusan Filiztek (ud) - Rana Gorgani (danse sacrée) La première partie sera assurée par Théo Ould. Nourri de musique classique, le jeune homme exprime sa personnalité dans des programmes éclectiques. Cet accordéoniste virtuose est nommé dans la catégorie "Révélation soliste instrumental" aux Victoires de la Musique Classique 2023.   Ils en parlent :  « Une performance d’une beauté déchirante. » New York times  « Magnifique voix lyrique .»  Télérama « Une grande Dame (...), une artiste rare, qui met la féminité à l'honneur. » Radio France  « Cet opus d'une beauté et d'une légèreté saisissantes témoigne du talent vocal, mais également de la profondeur de la démarche philosophique de la chanteuse. » Jazz Radio Biographie Ariana Vafadari : Chanteuse franco-iranienne, formée au Conservatoire de Paris, Ariana Vafadari fait dialoguer son héritage oriental et sa passion pour la musique classique. Mezzo soprano au timbre profond mais aussi compositrice, elle invente des épopées sonores, entre musique traditionnelle, classique et jazz, où la sagesse zoroastrienne vient éclairer poétiquement nos questions d’aujourd’hui. Sa voix agile de mezzo-soprano, sa musicalité et sa présence dramatique lui permettent d’intégrer des productions lyriques : si elle chante Dorabella dans Cosi fan tutte de Mozart, c’est surtout dans le répertoire baroque qu’elle s’épanouit. Elle est Néron dans L’Incoronazione di Poppea, Proserpine dans Orfeo ou encore Didon chez Purcell. Elle aborde également le répertoire contemporain et aime aussi se plonger dans l’univers plus intime de la musique de chambre. Elle se produit sur des scènes comme l’Opéra de Lyon, de Dijon, l'Opéra de Toulon, ou en concert à la Salle Pleyel ou au Grand Théâtre du Luxembourg. Elle compose et enregistre en 2016 l’album "Gathas, Songs my father taught me", révélation du Festival des Musiques Sacrées de Fès, et en 2020 l'album "Anahita". Elle a mêlé sa musique à la musique électronique grace à des collaborations avec DJ Satori ou DJ Chambord, au Festival du Burning Man ou l’Exit Festival.

Try Paradise is a trip to an imaginary India, where the Kashmir santoor expresses itself with sweetness and power through universal melodies with oriental fragrances. A unique musical marriage, combining Indian and Caribbean sounds with the steeldrum. Fretless bass and dohola bring a particular color and energy. This set serves Tamil Nadu Umadevi Nageswara Rao’s sumptuous voice. Umadevi Nageswara Rao: vocals Jean-Marc Zelwer: santoor Patrick Chartol: fretless bass Mathieu Borgne: steeldrum (double second) Ercan Dursun: tablas, bendir, dohola (derbouka bass)

Sorry, this entry is only available in FR and ES.Lia révèlera son nouvel EP "Como Una Flor Sin Raíces" à l'occasion de sa sortie le 24 février 2023 chez InOuïe Distribution. Ce nouvel opus sera présenté le vendredi 24 février 2023 à 20h30 sur la scène du 360 Paris Music Factory lors d'un concert de lancement exceptionnel. Lia puise au cœur de ses origines sud-américaines pour donner vie à une musique aux riches couleurs sonores, habitée par les rythmes de cumbia et les accents dansants des percussions latines. Dans son premier EP, "Como Una Flor Sin Raíces", intégralement écrit en langue espagnole, l'artiste dévoile avec sensibilité et élégance ses réflexions sur ses origines et aspirations en tant que femme aux prises avec la réalité contemporaine. Le titre éponyme "Como Una Flor Sin Raíces" raconte la quête d’identité de ceux qui ont dû fuir leur terre natale. Mareo est un voyage sensitif intime qui questionne les désirs que l’on s’autorise et ceux que l’on retient. Pachamama quant à elle est une ode aux éléments naturels, qui parle de la folie humaine qui ne cesse de détruire son propre berceau. Le groove de la contre-basse, accompagné par la profondeur des percussions latines et la sonorité hypnotique du clavicorde créent une atmosphère musicale absolument singulière. Ayant à coeur de partager cette aventure avec des musiciens qui lui sont proches, Lia s’est entourée d’amis de longue date pour l’accompagner sur ce premier disque. Santiago Gervasoni est un pianiste, claveciniste et clavicordiste Nantais d’origine argentine dont l’aisance entre les répertoires jazz et classiques associée à son lien intime avec la musique sud-américaine a beaucoup apporté à l’identité originelle du projet. Lucas Henri et Paul Héroux sont tout comme Lia originaires de Caen. Lucas, contre-bassiste de formation et multi-instrumentiste ayant déjà une longue expérience en tant qu’arrangeur (Philippe Katerine, Gad Elmaleh, Trio Joubran...) a apporté contraste, profondeur et singularité dans les compositions du groupe. Paul, percussionniste mais également batteur professionnel a joué dans de nombreux groupes aux styles allant de la soul au pop-rock, en passant par la musique folklorique. Ses rythmiques dansantes et la profondeur du bombo utilisé pour les chansons de Lia donnent à cet ensemble une sonorité organique et sensuelle qui ne manque pas d’apporter du style à ce disque au caractère déjà bien marqué.  

Duplex wil unveil their new album "Maelstrom" on its release on January 27, 2023 by ARC Music / Disques Dom. The Maelstrom journey all began in 2018, during a project based around the American band Nirvana, where Chierici and Laloy first met. There, the seeds of Duplex were sewn. As the project slowly began to bear fruit, the founders cherry-picked two talented musicians to round off the cast of an already intriguing act - adding the bold beats  of Oliver Cox on drums and the distinctive tones of Quentin Nguyen on keys. Poney Gross was later brought on board as music supervisor. Didier Laloy specialises in the diatonic accordion, having discovered the instrument at a street party at thirteen. Showing a natural talent and a sharp ear, Didier developed an innovative, intrepid style that has become his signature today. A frequent collaborator, Laloy’s experimental nature has led him to musical realms such as jazz, pop/ rock, and even theatre, all the while drawing on his considerable knowledge and experience in world music. Didier is considered one of the most active participants in the international revival of the diatonic accordion. Damien Chierici is a violinist, composer and arranger. Having studied under Liege luminaries Gilbert Theys and Martin Pirard, he soon uncovered a latent passion for using the violin outside the traditional classical setting. Realising the possibilities of amplification and effects pedals, as well as introducing plucking into his play, Damien also originated a style of his own. At first, he found groups with the peers of his youth and later composed for a litany of Belgian bands and played as a musician for numerous film scores, as well as establishing himself as a prominent performer in Belgium’s flourishing pop/rock scene. An eclectic and ethereal experience, Maelstrom is one musical voyage you will be glad to have joined. 

Pierre Bensusan has revealed his 15th album "Azwan" for it's release in France on November 12, 2021 by Le Triton / L'Autre Distribution. Back from the USA, the guitarist will present his new opus during a concert tour this autumn across France, of which here are the first dates: * 24/11: Château d'Aubiac, Agen (47) * 26/11: La Luna Negra, Bayonne (64) * 27/11: Salle Robert Macé, Saint-Jean d'Angély (17) Elected by the readers of Guitar Player magazine as the best world music guitarist, Bensusan's music is contemplative, nostalgic, sublime and prodigiously performed with inspiration rooted in nature. The concept of Azwan was born from the observation of bees, solar insects that work together in the dark, and birds that fly and dance together. It is an inspiring symbolic representation of the continuum of music. When you see the word Azwan written down, it may evoke a place, a city or a mood, but when you hear it out loud, it sounds like 'unity'.

Aurelia Nardini will unveil her new album "Nenia Ira" on its release on December 2, 2022 on digital and during February 2023 on vinyl by Vlad Productions / Absilone / Believe digital. For this fist album, Nenia Ira present seven tracks. Seven contemporary tales told from the point of view of a character who, armed with their voice, transform the obstacles they encounter on their way and draw strength from them, in order to continue moving forward. Accompanied by the shrutibox, an Indian accordion, and the toun-toun, a traditional instrument from Béarn that she revisits, Aurélia Nardini unveils carefully worked arrangements, drums and electronic effects manipulated live on machines. Nenia Ira is a solo project based in Marseille, written and composed by Aurélia Nardini. In 2021, they have benefited from the "BE ON" scheme with the A.M.I (Aides aux Musiques Innovatrices), which allows them to develop their stage performance with the choreographer Anne-Gaëlle Thiriot, in order to create an intimate and dreamlike show, drawing from our dark and luminous emotions

Guillaume Barraud & Mathieu Bélis will unveil their new album « Estampes » on its digital release October 14, 2022 and physical release November 4, 2022 on B&B Productions/InOuïe Distribution. This new work will be presented live on stage on Thursday December 8, 2022 at Les 2 Pianos (Paris). After ten years of a fruitful partnership, this new project came about in the midst of the pandemic. Composers Mathieu Bélis and Guillaume Barraud teamed up again for a series of improvisations; and the result is a repertoire of intimate music pieces. From the synergy of the piano and the bansuri (North-Indian transverse flute) emerges a language of its own. The striking of the strings and the breath through the bamboo intertwine to deliver a colourful canvas of sounds. It is an ode to journey, an invitation to fly away and explore an eclectic universe of contemporary jazz brewed with classical, pop and traditional elements.

Sultana will unveil her new album « Uni Vers Elle » on its digital release November 11 and physical release November 18, 2022 on Trilogie Halexander / InOuïe Distribution. This new work will be presented live on stage on Thursday November 17, 2022 at Les 2 Pianos (Paris). Author, composer, singer, Sultana invites you to travel through her mixed universe. A journey between World Music and French Songs breathed by a subtle combination of island rhythms and by her warm and sensual voice. From her real name, dixit "the Queen", symbol of femininity, sharing and generosity, Sultana sings in French and Spanish with a touch of Arabic, the free and sensitive woman who aspires to the present moment with a radiant optimism and an overflowing energy. "UNI VERS ELLE", Sultana's third opus has a highly symbolic title in homage to femininity, love, Nature, our Mother Earth, invoking a strong link to the sacred feminine, to listen to her heart, her intuition, her inner and creative power to fully accomplish herself. Ten compositions through which Sultana celebrates the themes of freedom, love, awakening, transmission, friendship, gratitude weaving the indispensable link between the feminine and the masculine, the Yin and the Yang two complementary energies for a universal duality.

Electric Vocuhila will unveil their new album "Kiteky" on its release on October 21, 2022 on Another Record / Capsul Records / L'Autre Distribution. This new work will be presented live on stage on Tuesday November 8, 2022 at Le Studio de L’Ermitage (Paris). Electric Vocuhila are : - Maxime Bobo: saxophone alto and composition - Arthur Delaleu: electric guitar - François Rosenfeld: electric and acoustic bass - Etienne Ziemniak: drums   For the past ten years, Electric Vocuhila has been developing a singular, powerful and voluble music, inspired by various contemporary African urban or ceremonial musics, combined with an orchestration and a relationship to improvisation rooted in (free) jazz, and a search for saturation of the sound coming from rock. This 4th album is dedicated to the tsapiky musicians met during a tour in Madagascar, just before the recording. The band was deeply marked by this trip, the concerts and the time spent with the Malagasy musicians. The song "Kiteky", which gives its name to the album and whose first video was released in 2021, has become a hit in Tuléar (Toliara, the cradle of tsapiky), covered by many tsapiky groups in « bal-poussière » ceremonies. This new version of Kiteky as well as the songs Kidola Dola (named by singers from Tulear), Swift and Arthur Never Sleeps have been reworked after the tour in Madagascar by assimilating modern tsapiky sounds and rhythms. Steeped in trance and celebration music, this new record also offers some quieter, more written pieces (duet and trio with acoustic bass and no drums on Toliara and Kasaï Charm), electronic sounds on Kin, and an exploration of rhythms inspired by East African music (Swift, 445), Congolese tradi-modern music (445), and music from southeastern Madagascar (Mangaliba), sometimes layering or juxtaposing them.

Sorry, this entry is only available in FR.Le groupe Balimaya révèlera son dernier album éponyme sur la scène du Studio de L'Ermitage,  à l'occasion d'un concert exceptionnel le vendredi 9 septembre 2022 à 20h30. Cet opus est sorti chez Buda Musique / Socadisc le 8 novembre 2019.   Le groupe est composé de :  - Julien André : compositions, arrangements, djembé, batterie - Ibrahima Diabaté : dundun, n’goni, tama - Boris Blanchet : saxophones - Vincent Limouzin : vibraphone, marimba - Felipe Cabrera : basse     BALIMAYA Dans les langues mandingues d’Afrique de l’Ouest, Balimaya signifie “parenté”, “fraternité”. Une famille au sens large qui s’exprime ici, réunie autour d’un duo de percussionnistes formé par Julien André et Ibrahima Diabaté, mêlant djembé, dundun et batterie. Cette collaboration a débuté en 1994 à Bamako et s’est poursuivie à Paris. Elle a permis de développer une façon de combiner les jeux un peu "tout terrain", dans un éventail allant du style formaté des cérémonies traditionnelles à l'improvisation la plus libre. Inspirée par le jazz et l’improvisation, elle prend aujourd’hui une nouvelle direction. Balimaya se nourrit de rythmes mandingues joués pour la danse. Ils ne sont pas repris dans leur format originel mais demeurent néanmoins une source d’inspiration, pour créer une musique où les voix s’entrecroisent. Basse, saxophone, vibraphone et marimba se joignent à cette famille, dans des compositions pensées comme des jeux, variant grooves, timbres, dynamiques, ouvrant la voie à l’improvisation.