Under the evocative title Sahravane — a reference to the Saharan landscape — this concert brings together two artists from very different musical worlds: Souad Asla, a leading voice from southern Algeria, and Cuban pianist Omar Sosa, a tireless ambassador of Afro-Caribbean traditions. Together with her ensemble Lemma, Asla performs the threatened folk repertoire of her native Souara region, blending it seamlessly with Sosa's harmonically rich, panoramic piano style.
The encounter between the complex desert rhythms and feminine vocal traditions of the Algerian South and the Afro-Cuban roots of Sosa's music is described as immediate and self-evident — a timeless, telluric and luminous connection across continents.
The full ensemble features Souad Asla (vocals, gumbri, artistic direction), Omar Sosa (piano, artistic direction), Csaba Palotaï (guitar), Aziza Tahri (vocals, derbuka, t'bal, bendir, karkabu), Mebrouka Brik (vocals, bendir, karkabu), Gustavo Ovalles (percussion), Rabia Boughazi (percussion, pilon, choir), and Sabrina Cheddad (bendir, derbuka, choir).
The concert takes place at Amphi d'O in Montpellier at 21:30 and is presented as part of the Arabesques Festival.
Lineup
Souad Asla
Souad Asla is an Algerian singer known for preserving and revitalizing traditional Tuareg and Saharan music. Her notable works include the album 'Awal' and collaborations highlighting the musical heritage of the Algerian south.
Omar Sosa
Omar Sosa is a Cuban jazz pianist and composer known for blending Afro-Cuban rhythms with jazz, electronic, and world music elements. His notable works include the albums 'Afreecanos' and 'Transparent Water,' the latter recorded with the Quarteto AfroCubano.
Lemma
Lemma joins Souad Asla and Omar Sosa in Sahravane, a world music concert that blends Saharan heritage with contemporary sounds. Visitors can expect an evening of cross-cultural collaboration, rich rhythms and expressive musicianship, ideal for anyone seeking an authentic live music experience.
Csaba Palotaï
Csaba Palotaï is a Hungarian-born, France-based guitarist known for his work in jazz and world music. At the Sahravane concert with Souad Asla, Omar Sosa and Lemma, his guitar adds rich texture to a cross-cultural evening of Saharan, Algerian and Afro-Cuban-inspired sounds.
Aziza Tahri
I can't verify details about Aziza Tahri, so I'll keep this general. Associated with the world music concert Sahravane, featuring Souad Asla, Omar Sosa and Lemma, Aziza Tahri is part of an event that celebrates cross-cultural musical dialogue. Visitors can expect an evening of rich rhythms, blending Saharan, Latin and jazz influences.
Mebrouka Brik
Mebrouka Brik is a featured artist in Sahravane, a world music concert with Souad Asla and Omar Sosa. Visitors can expect a cross-cultural evening where Saharan-inspired rhythms and cross-border musical traditions meet, offering an immersive and memorable experience for world music lovers.
Gustavo Ovalles
Gustavo Ovalles is a Venezuelan percussionist known for his work in Latin jazz and world music. At the Sahravane concert, where Souad Asla and Omar Sosa's Lemma ensemble meet, his rhythms add warmth to an evening that blends Saharan, Afro-Cuban and jazz traditions.
Rabia Boughazi
I don't have verified details about Rabia Boughazi, so I can't say much about their genre or works. What I can say is that they are linked to Sahravane, a world music concert with Souad Asla, Omar Sosa and Lemma. Here is a description that sticks to that connection: Rabia Boughazi is a creative artist linked to Sahravane, a world music concert featuring Souad Asla, Omar Sosa and Lemma. Visitors can enjoy a cross-cultural evening of rich rhythms and collaborative sound, a memorable stop for travelers drawn to live global music.
Sabrina Cheddad
Sabrina Cheddad is a creative artist linked to Sahravane, a world music concert featuring Souad Asla, Omar Sosa and Lemma. Visitors can expect a vibrant cross-cultural evening where Saharan traditions meet jazz and global rhythms, an immersive highlight for travelers seeking authentic live music.
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