Illyes Ferfera

French-Algerian saxophonist Illyes Ferfera joins the #JazzDeDemain residency!

He began learning the saxophone in the Gers region near Marciac. Music and jazz became an integral part of his life at the various editions of the "Jazz In Marciac" festival. The proximity of this village and the brilliant musicians who pass through it once a year for a fortnight left a deep impression on him. However, the sounds, rhythms and songs he grew up with in Algiers have never left him.

Inspired by the traditional rhythms of his native Algeria, by the styles that cross North Africa from Moroccan Gnawa to Algerian Diwane, or by the Raï of the superb and much-lamented Cheikha Rimitti... the saxophonist adds his own personal jazz influences to his palette of compositions: Archie Shepp, Karim Ziad, Steve Coleman, Anouar Brahem, Miguel Zenon, Chris Cheek, or Guillermo Klein, as well as his roots in European and French culture, with influences ranging from Georges Brassens to singer/percussionist André́ Minvielle, with whom he has collaborated on numerous occasions.

Today, he is considered one of the finest jazz musicians of his generation. His music, a subtle blend of oriental traditions and contemporary jazz, appeals to an ever-growing audienc