By Safaa ABOU EL HOUDA.
Casablanca – The last evening of the Jazzablanca festival marked, Saturday evening, the climax of this 17th edition with exceptional performances on the Nouveau Souffle stage, highlighting two promising Moroccan talents: Snitra and Saad Tiouly.
The public, loyal and enthusiastic, responded in large numbers, creating a festive and warm atmosphere. Snitra opened the ball with an energetic performance, mixing jazz and contemporary influences, a subtlety that immediately captivated the audience.
Snitra, formed in 2015 and whose name means guitar or stringed instrument in Darija, is a Moroccan fusion band deeply rooted in the musical culture of the eastern region, where its eight members come from.
The soaring music of this oujdi big band, sometimes joyful and sometimes dark, is an ode to North African musical identity, where gnawa, reggada, gharnati and issawa merge with rock, reggae and jazz. Their performance captivated the audience with a vibrant energy and sonic diversity that transported the audience on a unique musical journey.
In a statement to MAP, El Bekkay Brahimi, member of the Snitra group, said he was happy to return to perform at Jazzablanca, a festival known and recognized worldwide, stressing that the festival also represents a great opportunity for the group to play their music. in front of the Casablanca public.
He explained that for this last evening, the group performed its first studio album released in 2023, “Essah Yenbet”, as well as new pieces such as “El Mehraz” and “Lkhir o Lbarod”.
To follow the evening in style, Snitra gives way to Saad Tiouly. The latter continued with authentic and moving compositions, highlighting his talent as a maâlem. The audience, young and old, was amazed by the magic of the music, applauding wildly and making this evening an unforgettable moment of sharing and celebration.
Saad Tiouly, artist and craftsman, is an accomplished maâlem whose hybrid instruments are his signature. He pushes the limits of fusion by mixing various universes to obtain a singular aesthetic.
Sufi, Nubian, Arabic tarab, blues, jazz, reggae and funk music have already passed through the strings of his guembri. His performance illustrated this passion for the fusion of genres, offering authentic and moving compositions that highlighted his talent as a musician and storyteller.
The closing night of Jazzablanca was a true musical fireworks display at Anfa Park, the Icelandic group Kaleo offered an energetic and captivating performance, followed by the Italian icon Zucchero, whose timeless songs made the hearts of festival-goers vibrate
For its 17th edition, Jazzablanca was sold out, faithful to its reputation for offering an enchanting setting for both artists and festival-goers from all walks of life. This edition has once again demonstrated the festival’s ability to bring together diverse talents and create a unique atmosphere of celebration and musical discovery, confirming its place of choice in the panorama of international festivals.
Launched in 2006, Jazzablanca illustrates the cosmopolitan soul of the metropolis, presenting the prowess and the big names of Pop, Soul, Rock, Funk, World Music and Jazz.
