Jazz in Rabat returns with three Morocco-Europe nights

The 28th edition of Jazz in Rabat has brought the Hassan II Park amphitheatre back to life with three nights of musical encounters between Moroccan and European stages.

Jazz in Rabat, a cultural bridge in the capital

The festival runs from 24 to 26 September in Rabat. It is organised by the Delegation of the European Union to Morocco, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication and the authorities of the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region.

The line-up features six European bands and six Moroccan projects, invited to share the stage and create new work together. This confirms Jazz in Rabat as a key event for musical dialogue between both shores of the Mediterranean.

For Moroccans living abroad visiting Rabat, these evenings offer a chance to reconnect with a vibrant cultural capital, where jazz, local sounds and Mediterranean influences blend on stage.

Opening night: female voices and bold fusions

On 24 September, the festival opened with the all-female Portuguese band Amara Quartet. The group delivered a contemporary take on fado, including the song “Confesso”.

The musicians then joined Moroccan composer and percussionist Khalid Kouhen for “Labyrinth”, a joint creation that mixed Moroccan rhythmic colours with the Lusophone universe.

The evening continued with the Franco-German ensemble Thérapie de Couple performing with the Mohamed El Menjra STVNK Quintet. Together they explored a wide sound palette, from Moroccan influences to improvised jazz and Latin touches.

During the opening, Mohammed Benyaacoub, Secretary General of the Culture Department, described the festival as a space for cultural exchange that highlights emerging artists. The EU ambassador to Morocco, Dimiter Tzantchev, underlined the ambition to bring Moroccan and European music scenes closer together.

Second night: jazz, funk, hip-hop and darija

On 25 September, the Herak-Bulatkin Quartet is scheduled to share the stage with Moroccan violinist Hicham Telmoudi, promising a dialogue between instrumental tradition and contemporary jazz writing.

The same evening will also feature Belgian band NØ Steam performing with the Sara Moullablad Quartet. Their project is set to blend jazz, funk, hip-hop, darija, samba and chaâbi, embodying the experimental spirit of this edition of Jazz in Rabat.

• Encounters between Moroccan and European musicians
• Original creations mixing styles and languages
• A compact three-night programme in Rabat

Closing night with Andalusian and flamenco flavours

On 26 September, the festival’s closing night will bring together the Azure Trio of Austrian musician Ulrich Drechsler and the Younès Fakhar Tamzaj Quartet. Their performance will offer another variation on jazz and Mediterranean sounds.

The final evening will also feature Spanish saxophonist and singer Antonio Lizana’s Quintet with Abir El Abed’s Sextet. Together, they are expected to deliver a performance that blends Arab-Andalusian music, flamenco, blues and jazz influences.

Beyond the concerts, the festival includes two jazz masterclasses at the Les Étoiles cultural centre in Sidi Moumen. These workshops target young musicians looking to strengthen their ensemble playing and improvisation skills.

A chance to reconnect with Morocco’s live scene

For Moroccans abroad who return regularly to the country, this type of event illustrates how Morocco’s cultural scene is evolving. Rabat, already known for its major festivals, here offers a more intimate format focused on creation and artistic encounters.

These evenings are also a concrete opportunity to discover new Moroccan artists, spot projects that could be supported or invited abroad, and keep a living connection with the country’s cultural output.

For more context, readers can follow Canal212 news for Moroccans abroad.

For official updates, readers can check the relevant official source.