Jazz Festival ignites cultural fusion in Jeddah

Jazz enthusiasts gathered at Al-Balad, the historical area of Jeddah, for the inaugural Jazz Festival, part of the Balad Al-Fann initiative.

• Saudi, Emirati, German and British singers enchant jazz enthusiasts
• Saudi jazz singer Loulwa Al-Sharif performed classics such as “My Funny Valentine”

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.