Algiers – The Algerian National Theatre Mahieddine Bachtarzi hosted a musical event on Sunday in Algiers, featuring a blend of Scandinavian jazz and Arabic music by the Finnish band “Kari Ikonen – Trio Kantra,” along with electronic music performed by an Austrian artist of Congolese descent. This event was part of the fourth night of the 24th European Music Festival.
In the first part of the show, the audience enjoyed musical pieces by the Finnish jazz band “Kari Ikonen – Trio Kantra,” known for its performance of Scandinavian jazz and traditional Arabic music. The fusion of Eastern spirit and Western technique created a high artistic atmosphere that captivated the audience.
The Finnish musical ensemble “Kari Ikonen – Trio Kantra” consists of pianist and composer Kari Ikonen, drummer (contrabassist) Marko Ounaskari, and Algerian violinist Khair Eddine Mkachiche. They excelled in blending jazz music with the rhythm and spirit of Arabic and Andalusian music, using digital techniques integrated with the piano.
In front of an audience appreciative of jazz music, the Finnish band performed harmoniously and cohesively, playing jazz pieces and Arabic musical modes with room for improvisation. Notable pieces included “Maqtuar,” inspired by the poetry of Sufi mystic Jalaluddin Rumi, and “The Laurel,” drawn from the poems of Alice Munro.
The second part of the evening featured the Austrian artist of Congolese origin, Kimian Law, who performed a rich array of electronic music compositions. His performance provided the audience with a unique artistic experience, combining various styles and elements of electronic music with a spectacular display on digital equipment and a light show. The artist skillfully created a beautiful mosaic of sounds with a modern rhythm, incorporating diverse musical instruments with African influences.
The 24th European Music Festival in Algeria continues until July 3, featuring participation from 13 European countries, including Slovenia, which is participating for the first time.
24th European Music Festival in Algeria
