Wajdi Riahi Trio

Wajdi Riahi Trio creates a link between Tunis and Brussels, between tradition and innovation. They effortlessly merge traditional rhythms of Stambeli and Gnawa with jazz. Pianist Wajdi Riahi, double bassist Basile Rahola and drummer Pierre Hurty propel their music from intimate tranquility to frenzied energy like a storm that rises and falls again.

Essia, the last album from Wajdi Riahi Trio, tells of a journey between the pianist’s two horizons: Tunis and Brussels. Stambeli and Gnawa music are an integral part of the album. The organic architecture of these (North) African rhythms blends with the complexity of jazz.
Complicity between the bass player, the drummer and the pianist is evident. With them, you don’t know anymore on which side of the Atlantic you stand, which Northern European or Middle Eastern shore you’ve washed up on. Your nostrils filled with iodine, and sweet perfumes, you’ll feel like there’s a party about to erupt at any moment. The music takes over. The pianist’s fingers race down the keys, drums and bass impose a unique groove… and then it calms down. It catches its breath, oxygen flows again and stars ring in our ears. If traveling fills us with emotions, then so does jazz.