JEDDAH: Jazz enthusiasts gathered at Al-Balad, the historical area of Jeddah, for the inaugural Jazz Festival, part of the Balad Al-Fann initiative.
Organized by the Historic Jeddah Program and curated by Saut Al-Balad, a platform dedicated to reviving classical music, the three-night event from Jan. 25-27 aimed to blend traditional and contemporary music, offering a unique cultural experience in Jeddah.
Mohammed Bakhreiba, project manager of Saut Al-Balad, expressed the initiative’s vision during the opening remarks, stating: “Saut Al-Balad is a musical initiative aiming to revive classical Saudi music with a history spanning 60 years. Today, we want to revive this historical legacy in a modern way, supporting new talents and hosting numerous events throughout the program.”
The festival’s kickoff night showcased a three-hour performance by four German jazz stars: Matias on keys, Tobias on saxophone, Mories on bass, and Johannes on drums. They delivered an improvizational performance, setting the stage for the subsequent acts.
Johannes shared his thoughts on performing in front of a Saudi audience. “Honestly, it’s interesting to play in front of a Saudi audience. The atmosphere here is very unique,” he told Arab News.
Saudi jazz singer Loulwa Al-Sharif performed classics such as “My Funny Valentine” and “I Just Want to Make Love to You,” along with an original composition titled “Min Resalah” or “Just a Message.”
Suha Mohammadi, a jazz music fan from Saudi Arabia, expressed her admiration for Al-Sharif’s performance. “The lyrics of the song were very heartwarming,” Mohammadi said, describing the blend of Arabic language with foreign music as “enchanting.”
British singer Chris Jacobs delivered a captivating performance, including renditions of timeless classics like “Sway with Me” and “Under My Skin” by Frank Sinatra.
He told the audience: “It’s absolutely stunning for me to be here once again. Thank you for having me; it’s just such a beautiful place to play.”
Emirati jazz singer Arqam Al-Abri made his debut in Jeddah, presenting jazz songs while donning the Emirati national dress. Al-Abri performed classics like “Just the Two of Us” and expressed his gratitude for being part of the cultural gathering in Jeddah.
He told Arab News: “It is incredible to witness the mashup of various cultures, artists, and music genres coming together in Jeddah to create something beautiful. I am humbled and honored to be part of this, and I look forward to participating in more events in Jeddah.”
Balad Al-Fann aims to enhance Saudi Arabia’s cultural landscape through the universal language of art, reviving creativity in Historic Jeddah.
The Jazz Festival in Jeddah provided a fantastic opportunity for audiences to enjoy diverse musical styles while exploring the rich heritage of Historic Jeddah.
Jazz Festival ignites cultural fusion in Jeddah
https://arab.news/pxeqd
Jazz Festival ignites cultural fusion in Jeddah
- Saudi, Emirati, German and British singers enchant jazz enthusiasts
- Saudi jazz singer Loulwa Al-Sharif performed classics such as “My Funny Valentine”
Qatar envoy visits Saudi pavilion at Cairo book fair
CAIRO: Qatari Ambassador to Egypt Sheikh Jassim Al-Thani visited the Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs pavilion at the 57th Cairo International Book Fair.
During his visit, Al-Thani reviewed the pavilion’s diverse religious and educational content, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The fair runs until Feb. 3 at the Egypt International Exhibition Center, featuring 1,457 publishing houses from 83 countries.
The Saudi ministry showcased publications from the King Fahd Glorious Qur’an Printing Complex, highlighted the stages of printing and distributing the Qur’an, and offered copies as gifts from King Salman.
Al-Thani praised Saudi Arabia’s efforts in serving and disseminating the Qur’an, as well as the pavilion’s organization and quality.
The pavilion features the Islamic e-Library and digital initiatives, including the Rushd app, the Correct Citation app and the multilingual Virtual Hajj app.
Visitors can also experience virtual reality tours of the Grand Mosque in Makkah and the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah through advanced interactive technology.
The ministry’s participation highlights Saudi Arabia’s role in promoting Islam, supporting Muslims, and enhancing cultural and intellectual activities globally.
