Club Saw welcomes Taqsim Driver for an East Meets West Sonic Adventure

Alright, buckle up because we’re about to embark on a musical journey as wild as a camel ride through the Sahara!

Imagine yourself whisked away to the mystical streets of the Middle East, where ancient tales swirl in the air like sandstorms, and the rhythm of life beats as fiercely as a derbuka drum. Here, amidst the bustling bazaars and majestic mosques, a group of musical maestros come together, armed with instruments that could make a genie jealous!

First up, we have the derbuka, the heartbeat of the desert, its thunderous beats echoing the pulse of the people. Then there’s the kerkabou, those clinking, clanking castanets that add a sprinkle of magic to the melody, like the twinkling stars in the Arabian night sky. And let’s not forget the saz, with its strings whispering secrets of ancient lands and forgotten legends.

Now, imagine these traditional treasures getting a modern-day makeover. Suddenly, there’s a DJ dropping beats like it’s hot, mixing ancient rhythms with futuristic funk. And just when you think things couldn’t get any cooler, in steps a rapper, spitting rhymes as sharp as a scimitar, weaving tales of love, loss, and the quest for the ultimate falafel.

Voila! You’ve just entered the world of Arabic electro-fusion music, where tradition meets innovation, and East meets West on the dance floor of destiny!

And guess what? On Tuesday, April 23, the magic carpet of music will land in Ottawa, courtesy of none other than the sensational band Taqsim Driver.

The band was created by the musicians of the famed French brass band Fanfare Couche-Tard, which toured for 15 years in Europe, India, Morocco, and South Africa. Get ready to shimmy, shake, and shout as Taqsim Driver takes you on a sonic adventure unlike any other. It’s going to be hotter than the sands of the Sahara at Club SAW—and yet cooler than a polar bear in shades.

Mark your calendars, get your tickets, and prepare to be transported to a world where the only language is the universal groove!

The Taqsim Driver show is sponsored by Alliance Française, which promotes the French language and culture in Ottawa and beyond.

For more information on the show, visit Performing arts – Alliance Française Ottawa (af.ca) and follow Alliance Française Ottawa on Instagram and Facebook to stay updated on their ever-changing calendar of events and course offerings.

Taqsim Driver is:
Florian Valloo: Saxophone, rap
Jean-Baptiste Juszczak: Saxophone, vocals
Nathanaël Bianconi: Synthé, accordion, vocals
Alexandre Rabin: Sousaphone, backing vocals
Robin Veyssière: Drums, sampler

When: Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Where: Club SAW
What time: 7 p.m.
Price: $15 • Click here to purchase tickets

Photo: Colas Murer