Attendees watch a show during the festival.
Doha, Qatar: The Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) brought the curtain down on the 10th edition of the Katara European Jazz Festival yesterday, with captivating performances from Malta and Spain providing a fitting finale to four days of musical celebrations.
Held at the Katara Corniche near Gates 20 and 21, the festival attracted enthusiastic audiences who enjoyed a diverse programme of jazz performances showcasing the rich musical traditions and contemporary creativity of nine European countries. The closing evening featured a blend of Maltese jazz and Spanish flamenco, highlighting the festival’s commitment to promoting cultural diversity and artistic exchange.
Renowned Maltese guitarist Sandro Zerafa, accompanied by French pianist Noé Huchard, opened the evening with a performance inspired by Zerafa’s album Limestone, which draws inspiration from Malta’s landscapes, natural beauty and distinctive atmosphere.
The duo delivered an engaging musical experience combining traditional jazz elements with contemporary improvisation, intricate harmonies and expressive melodies. Spain brought an energetic conclusion to the festival through the WAMLA project, led by flutist and composer Clara Gallardo, alongside a talented ensemble of musicians and flamenco dancer Alejandra Moreno.
Their performance blended jazz improvisation with traditional Spanish rhythms and flamenco dance, creating a vibrant spectacle featuring expressive flute and piano melodies, rhythmic percussion and dynamic choreography.
The closing performances followed an equally entertaining Friday evening programme featuring musicians from Italy, Hungary and Finland.
Italian vocalist Cristina Zavalloni, accompanied by an ensemble of musicians, presented a performance inspired by the compositions of celebrated Italian composer Nino Rota, renowned for his contributions to some of Italy’s most iconic films.
Her performance combined the melodic richness of Rota’s compositions with contemporary jazz interpretations, offering audiences a distinctive musical experience.
