Leyla McCalla @ Maison des Arts, Créteil - February 10th, 2024

Leyla McCalla has always been building musical bridges between styles and continents. Equally proficient on the banjo, the guitar and the cello and equally at ease navigating the blues, folk and classical genres, this format sees her exploring the similarities and mutual influences of Haitian and Louisiana folk music.

At the core of these idioms is the blues, which can take many guises and feature a variety of instruments. In this case, it's her cello, banjo and guitar, Louis Michot and Corey Ledet's fiddles and accordions, and some thunderous percussions courtesy of special guests Claude Saturne and Kebyesu, all in support of McCalla's mesmerizing, impassioned vocals.

A captivating journey through musical landscapes, the recital was a celebration of the interconnectedness of musical traditions, a space of cultural and artistic convergence. In today's climate, with isolationism, nationalism and rejection of others becoming rampant in the public discourse, this goes beyond the mere performance: it's also a strong political statement.