Ibrahim Maalouf and Michelangelo’s trumpets kicked off the 43rd edition of Jazz à Vienne

The 43rd Jazz à Vienne festival kicked off on Thursday, headlined by trumpet maestro Ibrahim Maalouf. 200,000 festival-goers, 200 concerts and a thousand artists are expected in the Roman amphitheater until July 12.

Let’s go for the 43rd edition of Jazz à Vienne! The grand opening evening took place on Thursday June 27 under the sign of discovery and transmission. Before the show by Ibrahim Maalouf and his new project, Trumpets Of Michelangelothe audience vibrated with Louis Matute, a guitarist from the new generation of Swiss jazz. Being programmed in Vienna sounds like a consecration for the young musician.What is most impressive is that I came as a listener and audience when I was younger, to see concerts by true jazz legends, so it does something, it is inspiring” says Louis Matute, Swiss-Honduran guitarist.

A regular at Jazz à Vienne, trumpeter, composer and producer Ibrahim Maalouf is back with the Michelangelo’s Trumpetshis new project. Trumpets Of Michelangelo, this is the name of a custom-made trumpet, the one that Ibrahim dreamed of with four pistons (an invention of his father) to play the quarter tone so precious in his creation, shaped by the Orient which saw it to be born. It is the instrument he plays on stage, on which he also trains young musicians.

Trumpets Of Michelangeloit is also a mixed album, as the trumpeter’s music knows so well how to be. A mixture of influences where jazz mixes with classical, pop, oriental or urban music. “This desire also comes from this need to teach young people to be open to all the cultures of the world at a time when we are somewhat closing in on each other. How to consider world cultures, Eastern cultures, African cultures, South American cultures without being afraid of being blocked by cultural barriers” explains the French-Lebanese maestro.

Sharing, vibrant and festive music that made the 8,000 spectators of the ancient theater dance and shiver until midnight. Once again, the music brought together all the audiences. “I think it’s good for the public to experience big evenings, to forget a little about what’s going on in the country and to experience these moments of music with us.” adds Guillaume Anger, Director of the Jazz à Vienne Festival.

The legendary Trombone Shorty, an outstanding instrumentalist and true “showman” took over the trumpet from Ibrahim Maalouf the next day. On Saturday evening, Jazz à Vienne is offering an exceptional evening with, on stage, the singer Oumou Sangaré, icon of Malian music, and Les Égarés, a fusion of two duos composed of Vincent Ségal, Ballaké Sissoko, Emile Parisien and Vincent Peirani. To open, Nirina Rakotomavo will offer a modern and luminous fusion of jazz, sega and maloya.

The Jazz à Vienne Festival continues until July 12 with an additional date on Tuesday, July 16.