African Jazz Bridges Cultures at Jazzahead! 2026

At jazzahead! 2026 in Bremen, international jazz took a bold African turn. Togolese drummer Kossi Mawun and Moroccan vocalist Malika Zarra each delivered showcase performances that fused West African vodou rhythms and North African folk traditions with contemporary jazz language.

Two African Voices Redefining Jazz on the European Stage

Kossi Mawun's trio brought a refined, physically restrained drumming style rooted in the tradition of Art Blakey and Elvin Jones, blending it with West African spiritual rhythms on his project Culte. Malika Zarra, backed by piano and percussion, showcased two decades of experience working alongside names like John Zorn and Gretchen Parlato. Her fluid voice, multilingual delivery, and expressive scat technique made her a compelling presence in the European jazz spotlight.

Key Takeaways

Both Mawun and Zarra demonstrated that jazz remains a living, border-crossing art form. Their jazzahead! showcases proved that African voices are essential to the future of international jazz.

Author: Dan Backman

Source: Orkesterjournalen

Published: April 24, 2026