MahraJazz allows Palestinian musical freedom, at least
Musicians from different countries perform in unique Haifa alternative jazz festival in a place dealing with so much political turmoil
There was one evening that made sense between the Mediterranean sea and river Jordan in 2018. It involved a young, not too tall and not too extravagant trumpet player in a port warehouse converted into a hip bar, next to an active railway. The banner in the entrance called this spiritual rite “MahraJazz, Haifa alternative jazz festival”. MahraJazz holds the title of “the first Palestinian Jazz Festival in Haifa”. It is arguably the first Palestinian jazz festival ever. There is no coincidence that it is born in Haifa, a city that is plugged to the resources of the Israeli economy, yet allows diverse cultural fabric, in which Arab heritage and pride flourish despite the stubborn occupation. The moment Yazz Ahmed blew her horn, the high kicked in. Softly yet firmly, her compositions shook the surreal reality around, guiding all the pieces to fall into place, massaging the soul, telling compelling stories, in a language free from baggage. It was only natural that jazz be spoken, in a l...
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