Live in Saint Louis, Senegal

This recording is a result of a rare meeting of the French jazz scene and the Senegalese tradition of sabar drumming. Drummer Raphaël Pannier and sabar master Khadim Niang rehearsed intensively before eventually performing together at the International Jazz Festival in Saint Louis, Senegal in 2024. Pannier’s quartet and Niang’s octet merged to create effective versions of famous jazz standards, traditional pieces and original compositions by Niang, as well as entirely new music. Their repertoire combines rhythmic density and complexity with melodies and harmonies that range from expressive to deeply lyrical. Saxophonist Yosvany Terry carries many of the lead melodies and improvised passages, while piano, Fender Rhodes and bass are also prominently featured. Throughout the ensemble’s communication – and in several solo sections – the sabar drummers not only drive the rhythms but also introduce a remarkable variety of textures and tone colours. The whole band demonstrates a refined sense of dynamics and dramaturgy.