Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the MAMA JAZ festival has become a staple of the cultural scene in Mauritius. Founded by Gavin Poonoosamy, this annual event transcends jazz to explore the richness of musical creation. In this interview, Gavin shares the origins, challenges, and successes of MAMA JAZ, revealing how this festival has shaped the artistic landscape of the island.
Tell us about the man behind MAMA JAZ.
My name is Gavin Poonoosamy. I'm 42 years old and live in Port Louis, Mauritius. Travel is a big part of my life; I consider myself an art worshipper, particularly in music. I've worked on various projects across the globe, including in South Korea, Taiwan, China, India, South Africa, Reunion Island, Zanzibar, and several European countries like Wales, Spain, Denmark, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.
As the founder and driving force behind MAMA JAZ, I'm deeply involved in every aspect of the festival.
I want to extend a sincere thanks to Expat.com for their support from the early days of the festival and for helping to disseminate my thoughts to as wide an audience as possible.
In April 2025, Mama Jaz will celebrate its 10th anniversary under the theme "Enn Mond Meyer". Can you share where this initiative came from and its impact?
Absolutely! MAMA JAZ has always prided itself as a beacon of creation, improvisation, and musical performance, unrivaled globally. This year, with the theme "Enn Mond Meyer" and the fiery slogan "SO!" drawn from Mauritian Creole, meaning "hot", we're setting a vibrant tone for the entire month of April.
From our humble beginnings in 2016, which featured a week-long festival across five venues with around forty artists, MAMA JAZ has evolved dramatically. In April 2025, we're hosting a month-long festival with 60 artists across three venues and in digital formats—radio, TV, and social networks. We have planned 22 events under four chapters, featuring 70 performances. It's a substantial scale-up from our initial audience of 5,000 to now engaging over 900,000 people across various platforms annually and reaching audiences in over 70 countries outside Mauritius.
Our growth has been significant, to say the least. We were the first festival to receive the Made In Moris label, we've won the first prize for Cultural Innovation from the Ministry of Tourism, and we've been a double recipient of the National Arts Fund from the Ministry of Arts and Culture since our inception. This year, we also received the first fund for the development of Cultural and Creative Industries from the Indian Ocean Commission with the support of the French Development Agency.
Moreover, we're partners with the Indian Ocean Music Market (IOMMA) organized by Scène Australe under the legendary Sakifo, and an official organizational partner of International Jazz Day under the auspices of the Herbie Hancock Institute for Jazz and UNESCO.
I must extend my deepest thanks to our collaborators, the media who have robustly supported us, and our steadfast partners over the years, including Terra, Attitude, Kolos, Ciel, IBL, Phoenix Bev, Currimjee, and Klik Moris in 2025. I also want to recognize our venues: the Café du Vieux Conseil, the Caudan Arts Centre, and the Creative Park at Beau Plan. And, of course, eternal gratitude to our artists and audiences, who are the heart of this festival.
It's clear that MAMA JAZ has not only established itself as a pivotal event in the Mauritian cultural calendar but also plays a significant role in the professional landscape of the arts sector.
Who is Mama Jaz aimed at, and how has the enthusiasm evolved over the past 10 years?
MAMA JAZ is really aimed at everyone across all generations. Initially, my own desire—perhaps a bit self-centered—was to curate a program that featured demanding composers and diligent musicians who could deliver performances as rare as they were original. This was immensely satisfying for me personally.
Over time, however, the voices of our producers, partners, artists, and audiences began to converge, shaping the festival's direction. They spoke about what was valuable to them, about elements that were dear to their hearts. This collective input has gradually sculpted the festival into its current form, which remains fluid and ever-evolving. We're deeply committed to valorizing, stimulating, and professionally framing the Mauritian creative genius with a continuous commitment to improvement and fostering harmony among people.
To answer your question directly, MAMA JAZ resonates with those who cherish silence or find solace in it, whether they realize it or not. The diversity in the ages and backgrounds of our audiences is truly heartwarming. It's a beautiful sight that always brings a smile to my face. The enthusiasm we've seen over the past decade has been nothing short of inspiring, showcasing a broad, inclusive appeal that spans the cultural spectrum.
How do you approach this process regarding the selection of local and international artists?
Each edition of MAMA JAZ is shaped within a specific context of work. I start by subjectively crafting an ideal program and then temper it with the reality of our resources, which dictate the overall production framework.
For local artists, my approach involves constant engagement with the musical landscape here in Mauritius. I'm open to all genres and actively seek out what I call 'energetic gems'—artists or bands who not only have a clear intention but also exhibit meticulous execution over a ninety-minute performance. Nowadays, it's also crucial to consider the artists' ability to handle media attention, their charisma, and their stage presence. The thematic nature of the festival also influences our choices; it's about finding artists who can adapt to the context of the event while also bringing their unique musical temperament.
As for international artists, my selections have typically been driven by personal favorites or seizing rare opportunities. However, this approach is evolving. For instance, the performance by Steve Coleman & Five Elements might represent the pinnacle of this strategy, like hitting the highest note of a major revolution. Starting in 2026, I plan to adopt a different strategy for programming international artists, shifting away from these previous extravagances. This new approach will likely focus more on integrating these talents in a way that complements and enhances the overall ethos of MAMA JAZ.
What are your personal favorites for this year's festival?
This year, each performance is poised to be magical, akin to a layered cake where each layer represents a distinct form of joy and grandeur. Individually, each act is spectacular, but together, they converge to create a truly unparalleled experience.
What does the 2025 edition hold for jazz lovers in Mauritius, especially to mark the 10th anniversary?
This year's 10th edition is crafted to enchant jazz enthusiasts with a blend of discovery, intensity, passion, and legendary performances. The festival is designed to be uniquely engaging, featuring urban and outdoor settings, original acts, and family-friendly environments. We're also emphasizing rare, poetic moments that stimulate the imagination between the notes.
A special feature for this milestone anniversary is the introduction of collective jams, open to all, fostering spontaneous musical collaboration. And our recurring forums on general interest topics continue to be a significant aspect of the festival.
With a month rich in concerts at various locations, how can someone attend these events?
This year, MAMA JAZ is organized into four exciting chapters. Each offers a unique experience: "Enn Mond Meyer" takes place at Café du Vieux Conseil in Port Louis on Fridays; "Block Party" livens up Saturdays; "Lizour & Sanngat!" is set for Sundays; and "Douser; Gran Konser" will be a special event at Caudan Arts Centre on Wednesday, April 30. Additionally, "MA MA PIK NIK" will be held on Sunday afternoons at Creative Park de Beau Plan, and "MINIT MAZIK" will offer daily content on social media.
For more details on how to participate in these diverse offerings, visit our website at mamajaz.org.
How do you see the future of Mama Jaz?
I envision the future of Mama Jaz with a sense of peace and careful planning. We start preparing for each edition two years in advance, taking deliberate steps to ensure each festival is thoughtfully crafted and resonates deeply with our audience.
Could you share a message for jazz lovers and those new to the genre?
At MAMA JAZ, we celebrate more than just jazz; we celebrate artistic creation in all its forms. To everyone, seasoned jazz lovers and newcomers alike, here's to vibrant human expression and the rich tapestry of life. Long live life, long live art!
