Paris, Brussels, Oslo… wherever she goes, the Franco-Algerian singer sells out venues. However, even if Souad Massi sings little in English and prefers French and Arabic, his European audience is very loyal to him and appreciates both the softness and the strength of his interpretations.
After starting his career in Algeria by recording a simple cassette titled with his first name, Saoud Massi has today released his tenth album. One of them, Ô Houria, was also conceived in a place dedicated to French song: Les Rencontres d’Astaffort, chaired by Francis Cabrel. For her new opus called Sequana, named after the goddess of the Seine, the singer resolutely embraces all continents. She dares to create beautiful marriages, between American folk influences, for example, and the musicality of the Arabic language. This is how, with a set of hand-picked musicians, the album creates a universe that cannot leave anyone indifferent.
His very acoustic concert is a model of the genre. Everything is very calm, very studied, the lady likes precision and accuracy. Much space is given to musical tracks performed by an outstanding artist, Mokrane Adlani, who handles the banjo, the violin and the mandola equally well. We are in the quintessence of quality music. Saoud Massi leaves time for silences and plays with nuances. The audience listens to him with incredible attention. It is therefore logical that it is programmed in two legendary musical venues across the Rhine: the Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg and the Berliner Philharmonie.
Tour dates in France: April 5: Cenon (33), Le Rocher de Palmer. April 26: Pamiers (09), Salle JDM. May 10: Coutance, Jazz sous les Pommiers: New’Garo Project – tribute to Claude Nougaro. June 18: St Denis Festival, St Denis Basilica / Souad Massi, symphonic version. June 28: Mouilleron-le-Captif (85), Beaupuy Park. July 7: Jazz in Vienne, New’Garo Project – tribute to Claude Nougaro. July 12: Nuits du Sud, Arles: New’Garo Project – tribute to Claude Nougaro. July 27: Jazz in Marciac: New’Garo Project – tribute to Claude Nougaro. September 27: Aix en Provence, Le Grand Théâtre de Provence. October 12: Marciac (32), Astrada. November 23: Bourges (18), Maison de la culture. November 29: Lyon Auditorium Concert, symphonic version