Presented by the Alliance Française du Manitoba, and in collaboration with the CCFM as part of its “Mardi Jazz” series, this evening immersed spectators in a musical universe warmly tinged with North African and European traditions, and the improvised momentum of North and Latin American jazz.
The group came to present their album Tawazunreleased last year. Meaning “balance” in Arabic, it embodies the artistic approach of saxophonist and percussionist Illyes Ferfera: finding a point of harmony between his Maghreb roots, European colors and the freedom of jazz.
For Illyes Ferfera, Franco-Algerian, “this question of balance, of knowing what do we want to take and from where, what do we also want to leave, why, how, what do we want to transform, what do we want to do, meet, and why, how, these are things that work, it is part of my life as a person, and therefore, as a musician. »
At his side are pianist Simon Chivallon, double bassist Arthur Henn and drummer Tom Peyron: a quartet whose complicity results in fluid and open music.
“They are brilliant musicians, and what’s more, they are long-time friends in whom I have great trust, musically and humanly,” emphasizes Illyes Ferfera.
An applauded concert
Installed in the cozy and intimate atmosphere of Patio 340 (interior) of the CCFM, the spectators, who came in large numbers, enjoyed a set of approximately 1h30 mixing original compositions and improvisations.
The rhythm of percussion inspired by music donethe Mediterranean flights of the piano, the swaying pulsation of the double bass and the energy of the drums invited the audience to escape. And it was with a standing ovation that the group closed this beautiful musical interlude.
This concert is part of a Canadian tour: after stops in Toronto, Montreal, Halifax, Moncton and Winnipeg, the group will then perform in Vancouver and finish in Calgary.
An opportunity for Illyes Ferfera and his quartet to continue their sonic journey across the territory, and to distill “the joy of sharing” their multicultural influences with the Canadian public.
