For this Take Two, ganavya chose the album ‘Les Filles de Illighadad’, by Les Filles de Illighadad, released on Sahel Sounds in 2016. The album was recorded informally, including village songs but with a guitar and calabash: Fatou Seidi Ghali is the first woman to play Tuareg-style guitar, and there’s a meditative nature to the album without losing the playfulness that the sense of village has. In ganavya’s performance inspired by the album, she takes traditional pilgrimage songs— songs from her desert lands— and performs it alongside guitar and simple percussion, the same way that Ghali does. How is this jazz? you might ask: if jazz is the sound of freedom, of creating new forms to match the new worlds, the sound of innovation, these two fit the bill.
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Take Two: ganavya reimagines ‘Les Filles de Illighadad’
Winter Jazzfest Presents
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Diversity & Inclusivity
From its roots in the Black American communities of New Orleans, jazz has always celebrated and incorporated a diverse group of voices and traditions. At NYC Winter Jazzfest, we seek to honor these roots by showcasing musicians of all backgrounds — across race and ethnicity, gender, sexuality, bodily ability, and more — as well as all disciplines under the broad umbrella that we call “jazz.” Our audience is similarly diverse, boasting devotees and dabblers, local and international music lovers, industry professionals and those who just love to listen. We believe our diversity is our strength.
Accessibility
NYC Winter Jazzfest works to share our musical offerings in venues that are accessible for those with assistive mobility devices, such as wheelchairs, and other sorts of accessibility needs. This goal is constantly in progress as we strive to partner with accessible venues across the city.
Feel-Good Space for All
NYC Winter Jazzfest is designed to be a feel-good space — a place to convene and take pleasure in each other’s company and the music we all love. To achieve this end, we count on the behavior and attitudes of all who take part in the event, from performers and patrons to venue staffers and festival employees. We seek to develop a Safer Space, one in which all people feel valued and respected. As such, and in alignment with the We Have Voice Collective, we have a zero tolerance policy for harassment of any kind. We uphold the equitable treatment of all people, regardless of their various identities, including race and ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, ability, culture, immigration status, economic background, or religious beliefs. We ask that you join us in supporting the safety and wellness of all NYC Winter Jazzfest performers, staff, and audience members, so we all can do what we do best — enjoy the music.
Stay tuned, more to come!
Grateful for your support,
WJF Team