Nuits d’Afrique | SARĀB, Syrian-Lebanese Songs Sizzled With Metal and Jazz-Rock

Interview by Alain Brunet

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Singer Climène Zarkan, of Syrian-Lebanese origin, and guitarist Baptiste Ferrandis, whose roots are more European, began their musical relationship by forming a guitar-voice duo. They were inspired to reinterpret songs by Aleppine singer Sabri Mdallal (1918-2006). A group was formed, albums were recorded and concerts were given. SARĀB explores a universe where, by turns, contemporary electric jazz, traditional or popular music from the Levant and quasi-metal rock intertwine, as witnessed by the albums Sarāb (2019), Arwāh Hurra – Âmes libres (2021), Awalebese Tape (2023) and a brand new recording scheduled for this year.

For the first time in Montreal, SARĀB brings us their Arab-Caucasian jazz-rock, which is undoubtedly transcultural. In the context of Nuits d’Afrique 2025, Alain Brunet wanted to find out more about SARĀB ahead of the concert scheduled for Tuesday, July 8 at Le Ministère.

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