Jazz is essentially a music of mixtures and encounters. No wonder it has generated a multitude of sub-genres, constantly feeding off the influences of the world’s popular music. Rainbow countries could not be left out… Yes, says Philippe Thomas, Creole jazz does exist. Dominique Bellier
The kinship between the zouké jazz of Martinique’s Mario Canonge and the sega jazz of Philippe Thomas is obvious… We’re also close to the Portuguese melodies of Cape Verde, inspired by Morna and Coladeira and structured by Senegalese percussion.
French trio Akinroot, performing at the IFM on April 24, means “common roots”. In a contemporary, energetic style, they blend jazz, funk and West African rhythms… On April 25 at 7pm, the BèlèVerde duo will immerse us in the creolité of the Atlantic, from CapeVerde to Martinique, with their voices that are sometimes caressing velvet, sometimes rhythmic incantation.
Our national trumpeter points out that musicians can just as easily treat jazz standards as sega or biguine, and conversely apply jazz harmonies to zouk, sega or maloya. The common feature is certainly the specific rhythms, but above all the harmonic richness that gives these musics their infinite generosity.
On April 23 at the IFM, musicians and producers will talk about the many faces of jazz. The Mo’Zar brass band celebrates its origins with a parade at Bagatelle Mallon April 25, starting at noon. On April 30, 25 youngsters from Mo’Zar will join the headliners to tell the story of their roots. TRANT-AN JAZ Mo’Zar, at the Caudan Arts Centre, under the direction of Philippe Thomas… And this first edition of JazNet will conclude on May 2 at Otentic Ecotent, Deux Frères, at the crossroads of generations.