Stavelot Jazz : Olivier Chavet Quartet & Alka Celtes Airs

OLIVIER CHAVET Quartet

A meeting between jazz and nature. “Racines” (“Roots”) is the title of Olivier Chavet’s latest album — a soul-inspired work born from his closeness to nature and moments of deep reflection. Music and nature have shaped the composer since childhood, both personally and professionally. The Belgian artist, born in Aachen, studied both music and agronomy. Through his daily experience in these two fields, he knows that everything is interconnected, like a network of roots. The pieces in this repertoire express his longing for a simple life, centered on what is natural. The root — anchor of all life forms — symbolizes the cohesion we all need. The quartet’s performance offers serene moments, powerful passages, and sublime grooves.

ALKA CELTES AIRS

Built around accordionist Luc Depret, the Alka collective has been sailing for over twenty years between the Celtic waters of Brittany and the sea of swing! In its early days, the group’s favorite repertoire drew heavily from Breton and wider European folk traditions. Since then, it has refined its course, finding its voice in a subtle cocktail blending Celtic inspiration with unbridled jazz. The rhythms, rooted in tradition, have taken flight toward the horizons of swinging jazz, often spiced with Latin grooves. The melodies — infused with rum and tales of corsairs — mingle with flowing, joyful, and energetic jazz themes, sometimes intricate, with asymmetrical rhythms that invite Africa, South America, and other percussive worlds to join the dance. Alka Celtes Airs returns to the Caves de l’Abbaye de Stavelot with a sound that’s more Celtic-jazz-groove than ever.