Marking a decade of rich melodies and meaningful encounters, the Mama Jaz festival dazzles with its artistic diversity and inviting atmosphere. In honor of its tenth anniversary, enjoy intimate interviews with the artists who illuminate its stages. Explore the passions and inspirations that fuel these exceptional talents, making Mama Jaz an essential destination for all music aficionados.
Evodie Faro: Author, composer, arranger, pianist, and singer
Can you briefly introduce yourself and define your musical style?
My music embodies what I call "Ghetto Jazz." The term "Ghetto" represents the real-life experiences and environment of Cité Trèfles in Mauritius, where I grew up. "Jazz" reflects my deep engagement with the genre that heavily influences my sound. My music is a fusion of Reggae, Ragga, Dance Hall, and Neo Soul, among others, creating a unique blend that stays true to my roots while exploring new musical landscapes.
What inspires you, and what do you seek to express?
Music is my inspiration and daily sustenance. I immerse myself in a boundless variety of sounds, allowing my experiences to shape my lyrics. My approach to music is one of absolute freedom; I adhere to no set rules, letting creativity flow unrestrained. I strive to produce quality music that not only brings me joy but also resonates with others.
Do you have anything special in store for the audience on the 10th anniversary of MAMA JAZ?
Our performance promises a fresh and distinctive experience. It's not just me on stage; our group brings diverse backgrounds and a shared dedication to excellence. Vincent, originally a jazz pianist, now frequently performs in the reggae and seggae scenes. Dominique hails from Zambia, adding his unique flavor. Kersley has been a longtime collaborator, known for his deep musical synergy. And Miguel, a truly unique character, brings his original approach to the mix. Together, we guarantee the audience a show unlike any other.
What are your tips for those wishing to attend the concerts?
Visit mamajaz.org and partyapp.mu for all information and follow promotions on social media; get your tickets!
EVODIE
20:00, Sunday, April 20
DOUSER | ENN MOND MEYER @ Café du Vieux Conseil, Port Louis
MAMA JAZ 2025
[ J f F ]: DJ, Electronic music composer, artist
Can you briefly introduce yourself and define your musical style?
My name is Fabrice David, and my passion for music began at age 7 with the violin. With my mother's guidance in music theory, I also learned the basics of piano and singing. My formal training includes time at the National Conservatory of Mauritius and, by age 13, the Frédéric Chopin Conservatory.
I ventured into DJing and producing music as Mr. Snob, specializing in Progressive House and Techno, and started performing at small events, birthday parties, and school fairs. My significant breakthrough occurred in Melbourne, where I developed a project that blended progressive house, progressive techno, and psychedelic trance.
Holding a Bachelor of Arts in Music Industry from RMIT in Australia, I have since established myself in the local music scene under another persona, Ken Zo. My latest project, [ J f F ], aims to merge various musical genres—combining elements of world music, electronic, hip-hop, and cinematic sounds. This project produces music that is light, inspires release, and is crafted for deep, appreciative listening.
What inspires you, and what do you seek to express?
I draw inspiration for my music from the world around me—from the melodies of other artists, the narratives of films, conversations with friends, moments of solitude in nature, and while contemplating the sea. It is in these moments that I disconnect and distill my experiences, allowing me to experiment with musical forms in my mind. Through my project [ J f F ], I strive to infuse originality, creativity, and depth into my work, always aiming to surprise and delight. Above all, I want my music to be FUN.
Do you have anything special in store for the audience on the 10th anniversary of MAMA JAZ?
The performance will begin with a subtle introduction, allowing the audience time to unwind and settle in. As the evening progresses, the intensity will gradually build. I'll be closely tuning into the individual vibe of each attendee while simultaneously guiding the overall mood of the crowd. It's crucial to me that everyone feels connected and in sync throughout our musical journey. My goal is for each person to have a deeply moving experience, fostering a beautiful, communal atmosphere filled with generous and unifying energy.
What are your tips for those wishing to attend the concerts?
Come relaxed and with confidence; it will do us all good.
[ J f F ]
19:00 - 01:00 every Saturday in April
SANNGAT! | ENN MOND MEYER @ Café du Vieux Conseil, Port Louis
MAMA JAZ 2025
Ticket link (MAMA KOMBO PAK)
Gina Jean Charles: Composer and singer
Can you briefly introduce yourself and define your musical style?
My name is Gina Jean Charles, and I reside in Mauritius. I have been a singer for 25 years, specializing in a unique blend of pop, soul, sega, and jazz.
What inspires you, and what do you seek to express?
Life itself, as I learn every day. The fascinating behaviors of human beings inspire me to create, compose, and produce music. My goal is to capture and express the essence of life and the human traits that move me. Through my music, I strive to encourage, motivate, uplift, and enlighten both others and myself.
Do you have anything special in store for the audience on the 10th anniversary of MAMA JAZ?
A treasure! Belingo and I, as well as everything that exists on the planet, in the universe, all those on stage or in the audience, we offer ourselves as a treasure and are eager to perform.
What are your tips for those wishing to attend the concerts?
I encourage everyone to join us for this magnificent annual event, where art and music unite us in celebration. Music has the power to move and transform many aspects of life and the universe, a belief I hold dear. This event is a chance to recharge, harmonize, and forge human connections. Come and share in this vital energy, helping us all move forward together until we meet again next year.
GINA & BELINGO
20:00, Sunday, April 13
DOUSER | ENN MOND MEYER @ Café du Vieux Conseil, Port Louis
MAMA JAZ 2025
Alex Joseph: DJ, music producer, sound artist
Can you briefly introduce yourself and define your musical style?
I am a nonpracticing psychologist who used to be a hip-hop DJ in the 1990s UK and built a career as a sound designer, mixer, soundtrack producer, and composer for advertising, drama, film, video games, and Cinema.
Until now, I have been involved with over 200 projects of all sorts in different countries and have been nominated for or won, as myself or within crews, Lions D'Or, Conch Awards and Baftas; I have been professionally involved with Jean Jacques Anneau, Werner Hertzog, Ridley Scott, Tim Burton, Paul Verhoeven, Roland Emmerich, Edgar Wright, Peter Weber, Aleksandr Yakimchuk, Ilya Khrzhanovsky, Benny Andersson and Danny Boyle, to name a few, and some popular projects I have been involved with are Harry Potter cinematic series, Lara Croft Tomb Raider cinematic series, Charlie & The Chocolate Factory remake, James Bond cinematic series (Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace), Hot Fuzz, 10,000 BC, Mamma Mia, and, quite recently a planetary Video Game reference, Ghost of Tsushima!
I've been involved with Oscar-nominated films, but my most precious honor, which came with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2205), is the MPSE Golden Reel Award, Hollywood's highest professional honor for sound. Being based in Mauritius off and on for 7 years now, among various projects, I have supported François Wiehe's Biye Retour and Jon Rabaud's The Blue Penny and have also supported many sound studio setups or been sharing some wisdom quite generally, as much as a learning tool, importantly.
Now, in 2025, through MAMA JAZ, it seems I am given the freedom to perform as a live music producer/DJ again... Hence, regarding my 'style', humbly, I'm here to reconnect, educate, and show how the old way of doing djing was a real artform and a very tricky artform at that. The real love, though, is the turntable as a tool and a true DJ, particularly a hip-hop one, when in the right vibe, became one with the turntable. To the point, like driving, where you just feel and do and don't need to think about it. Part of this, along with vinyl, was knowing your records and combinations. There is a point where when you scratch, you can actually feel the waveform on the record! It's a marvelous thing, and for sure a real thing, as digital is a set of zeros and ones! A Vinyl record is just that, a record of frequency information immortalized into plastic. My performance is to show love through all music but through the lens of HIphop as a tool.
What inspires you, and what do you seek to express?
Either I feel compelled to make music and literally won't stop until it's in a semi-realized state, or I hear something that I like and decide to do something that takes a similar format. With the latter, the end result rarely resembles the inspiration. If it's a visual medium, I get immersed in what I'm seeing and find stuff in the images or environment and story to use as a mechanism to create extra emotion and meaning. It is amazing how you can take an everyday life scenario and skew it. Everything's done on feel, though, like driving a car. Things tend to come together like a chain reaction. So when in the zone, it's best to use the rhythm well. I wish to emulate life and induce groovy momentum and deep harmony, if you know what I mean.
Do you have anything special in store for the audience on the 10th anniversary of MAMA JAZ?
I see this Block Party as a platform to get music that's not listened to as much as it could be out there, and also it means I get to do what I really enjoy, which is getting deep into the mix. My style is typically the scratch and blends technique, or it will be for this set; i may do a bit of beat juggling in places but figure I want to keep the fire burning, so it is better to do the scratch and blend, it is more informal, and crowds get down to it more. On the Block party stage, there will be a mixture of old and new equipment. Aside from me, other guests will play as well , in particular Gavin Paige, a music producer and Dj from the Uk who is from the same scene as me and understands the vibe well. But I'll do the most part of it. Some will jam, and others will push Funky House, Nigerian funk, afrobeat, hip-hop, drum and bass, and more.
What are your tips for those wishing to attend the concerts?
Just do what you must to attend, we welcome every beautiful soul.
JAMALEX
17:00 - 01:00 every Friday in April
BLOCK PARTY | ENN MOND MEYER @ Café du Vieux Conseil, Port Louis
MAMA JAZ 2025
Ticket link (MAMA KOMBO PAK)
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