Wajdi Riahi Trio, Jazz in an intimate club atmosphere

7 PM doors 8 PM concert in hall Platform, an interwar cinema, a hidden gem, in the heart of Antwerpen Zuid Wajdi Riahi Trio – Zabonprés Sessions Wajdi Riahi, a unique fate Born in Tunis and trained in piano at an early age, Wajdi Riahi soon discovered music as a universal language. After extensive study, he moved to Brussels, where he developed a unique style: a mix of jazz, Mediterranean music, and the folk traditions that inspire him. His playing, both sensitive and with intense rhythms, combines melodic depth with improvisational freedom. He quickly established himself as one of the most promising young pianists in the European jazz scene, recognized for his ability to combine virtuosity with raw emotion, and as a sideman in numerous projects. Wajdi Riahi Trio… a long story already Het Wajdi Riahi Trio was formed around him, with Basile Rahola on double bass and Pierre Hurty on drums. Met Wajdi on piano, they built a strong identity, in which finesse and energy come together, which they now bring to international stages. Together they found a rare balance: constantly listening to each other, deep friendship, and musical complicity give their trio a unique intensity. With two acclaimed albums to their name – Mhamdeya and Essia – the group has found its place on European stages, where they bring refined and dynamic music, fueled by their versatile roots and shared energy. Last year was a turning point: more than 50 concerts brought Essia all over the world (Montreal International Jazz Festival, Jazz des 5 Continents in Marseille, Nancy Jazz Pulsation, Natt Jazz in Norway, Ultramar Club and Canarias Jazz y Mas in Spain, Flagey in Brussels, Jazz à Liège, Jazz Cave in Romania, etc.). Everywhere they received rave reviews, both from the public and the press. Belgian and French critics praised the freshness and depth of the music, which manages to captivate both through its lyrical intensity and its generosity on stage. Live, there is always a rare alchemy between the musicians, which makes you want to come back again and again. We want a new LIVE album!! It was in this lively context that their new project was born: a live album. For the first time, the trio's music will also be released on vinyl, a precious and durable medium that reflects their desire to keep a memory of these shared moments. The album contains a selection of songs from Mhamdeya and Essia, revised after dozens of concerts, enriched by experience and refined by time. Because music lives, changes, and every interpretation carries the memory of the paths traveled. Two new songs have been added to this repertoire, illustrating the trio's continuous evolution and desire to reinvent themselves. This project came about thanks to the label Flak and its Zabonprés Sessions series, dedicated to recording intimate concerts in a unique setting. The trio had the chance to play for an audience of about thirty people, in the heart of the Belgische Ardennen, in a small hall with a warm atmosphere, surrounded by forests and light. Three days of residency, marked by rehearsals, exchanges, and living together, yielded much more than just a concert: a shared breathing, an exceptional intensity, music that is rooted both in the moment and in the deep friendship that connects the three musicians. With this new album, the Wajdi Riahi Trio invites us to experience an important step in their journey: music in motion, shaped by time, travel, and above all friendship. An album that makes you want to see the trio live on stage, where it really comes to life.