Lebanese pianist Tarek Yamani and French-Tunisian saxophonist Yacine Boulares come together in a new project that celebrates their mutual heritages. From Lebanese Dabke to the Tunisian traditions of Stambeli and Mezwed, the two musicians bring Arabic trance rhythms and the harmonic and melodic flexibility of Jazz together. For Habibi Festival they will premiere a brand new repertoire.

Yamani and Boulares are amongst a handful of Arabic musicians who have devoted their life to Jazz Music. Tarek Yamani lives between New York and Berlin and has been hailed a “trailblazing pianist” by CNN. Winner of the prestigious "Thelonious Monk Int'l Jazz Composers Competition" for his composition "Sama'i Yamani", Tarek has been part of 4 all-star global concerts of the International Jazz Day and shared the stage with luminaries such as Wayne Shorter, Richard Bona, Zakir Hussein, Esperanza Spalding, Antonio Sanchez, Brian Blade and Vinnie Colaiuta.

Described by RFI as “one of the most talented Jazzmen of his generation” and Yacine Boulares has recently accompanied Archie Shepp for the re-creation of “the Cry of my people” at BAM and has worked with the likes of Placido Domingo, Nasheet Waits, Vincent Segal and Tabou Combo.

Tarek: Website | Instagram | Spotify

Yacine: Website | Instagram | Spotify