It’s easy to see why Vision Diversité chose to wrap up its Mozaïk series with Abdel Grooz and his talented band. Unlike the previous concerts, which were more intimate and introspective, this one was a completely different, vibrant show that left the audience in awe. It was intimate nonetheless, as Abdel shared snippets of his life stories and the context behind certain songs, inviting us into his world. The setting was perfect for the occasion, with just the right lighting, plants scattered across the stage, and a rug—making it feel as though we were in his living room.
But first and foremost, let’s talk about the top-notch musicians who accompanied Abdel for the occasion: his longtime collaborator Donald Auguste Dogbo on drums, who actually celebrated his birthday on stage, Zacharie Winter on guitar, Rémi Cormier on trumpet, Chacón on keyboards, and a surprise guest named Nazim Mohammedi, an Algerian guitarist visiting Montreal for the Montreal Raï Fest.
From the very first song, Abdel had the audience singing along, and they were immediately swept up in the moment. The show is full of surprises, shifting from diwane to West African sounds and Latin rhythms thanks to Chacón’s keyboard. Chacón, originally from Cuba, has added his own Latin jazz touch to Abdel’s rich repertoire. Sometimes, within the same song, Abdel manages to blend two or three different styles, which he brings together perfectly.
One of the highlights of the evening was Abdel’s bass solo during a song dedicated to his grandmother. It was a moment that seemed to stand still, and you could really feel the artist’s emotions as he took the song in a new direction.
The musicians had plenty of opportunity to shine, as they were given the space to do so. In each piece, Abdel introduces the musician before giving them the time they need to shine, thereby extending the experience. The audience particularly enjoyed Zacharie Winter’s solos, as well as Rémi Cormier’s trumpet flourishes. In fact, Cormier has just returned from a trip to Senegal, where he participated in the 5th edition of the Stéréo Africa Festival and the Saint-Louis Jazz Festival. Chacón also had the chance to introduce himself to the audience, who are not likely to forget his name anytime soon.
The rapport between Abdel and Donald was palpable, whether through the knowing smiles they exchanged or the way they communicated with their eyes regarding the musical direction.
“We have some good news to share with you: the show Diwane has been selected for the CAM tour!” Abdel tells us at the end of the concert.
In addition to the surprise with Nazim, we got to do a few dance moves thanks to two twin sisters who are members of the Kalabanté troupe. Abdel has toured with this Guinean circus troupe, and that experience has also left a lasting mark on his career. It was the perfect opportunity for the audience to stretch their legs and dance, much to Abdel’s delight.
And so the Mozaïk series, which began in January to mark the 20th anniversary of Vision Diversité, came to a close on a very festive note. I was thrilled that my children were able to attend the show and discover the best of Montreal’s multicultural music scene.
