Music from North Africa with the Fakir Trio and Rachid Zeroual ^{Virée classique 2024}

Rachid Zeroual is an author and composer as well as a virtuoso of the ney, an Arabic reed flute. Born into a family of musicians since many generations, he was introduced to music by his father, before studying the ney with Laarbi Houawra.

Rachid Zeroual’s musical gifts and virtuosity have made him a much sought-after performer, esteemed by many artists and composers in the Arab world. His exquisite sensitivity creates a veritable symbiosis between his artistic spirit and the ney, from which he draws spellbinding sounds. As well as performing frequently on international stages, Rachid is the author of over 160 compositions and has made four recordings devoted to Moroccan musical heritage. In 2012, the Comité national de la musique in partnership with UNESCO awarded him the Ziryab of Virtuosos award and Medal of Merit.

At the intersection of tradition and modernity, inspiration and creation, Falor Trio brings together different musical genres : oriental, contemporary and jazz. Musicians Marwan Fakir (violin), Pierre-Antoine Despatures (upright bass) ans Louis Desseigne (guitar and saz) play, arrange and compose around turkish, gypsy latin and arabic yrhtms and melodies since their debut in 2018.

Challenging preconceptions, the trio creates an experienc that defies expectations. Mixing impressive techniques with global influences of old and new, the trio creates at once a mesmerizing, intimate and energetic musical expression.

Versatile drummer and percussionist Bertil Schulrabe is known for his solid, refined and organic playing. He has collaborated with renowned ensembles and artists, including OktoEcho, I Musici, Angèle Dubeau, Karen Young, Nanette Workman, Céline Dion, Zachary Richard, Jean-Pierre Zanella, Lynda Thalie, Said Mesnaoui, Lokua Kanza, Partha Bose and Ustad Shahid Parvez.

After completing his training with some of the great names in his field, thanks to the support of the Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec, Bertil Schulrabe furthered his knowledge and practice of Indian tabla, as well as of Latin and Cameroonian music. He is currently perfecting his tabla skills with Inranil Mallick.

The variety of projects in which he takes part keeps him active in and passionate about many different musical styles: popular, funk, jazz, fusion, rock, and world folk (Africa, North Africa, India, Cuba, Brazil, Haiti, Eastern Europe, among others), both on drums and percussion.