Alune Wade’s performance stood out as one of the highlights during the 2025 Saint-Louis Jazz Festival. The acclaimed Senegalese bassist mesmerized crowds gathered at Baya Ndar Square yet again, bringing vibrant life to the event’s central venue with his dynamic presence and distinctive style.
The versatile musician guided audiences through the thrilling and captivating beats of their latest studio release, which marks their sixth album.
New African Orleans
launched earlier this year.
It’s a delight for me, indeed an honor, to have had the chance yet again to take part—particularly in this 33rd edition,” Wade stated. “Feeling such immense affection is always uplifting. It fuels our resolve even further as we continue down this journey of ours that has spanned over two decades.
The 33rd iteration of the Saint-Louis Jazz Festival featured over 30 musicians, taking spectators on a vibrant musical journey. Additionally, this event plays a role in reshaping the narrative around jazz music by emphasizing its origins in Africa and documenting how it has evolved internationally.
When discussing jazz nowadays, it has become such a vast genre that defining it in its traditional form can be quite challenging,” explained Baba Diop, a cultural journalist. “Nevertheless, possessing extensive cultural understanding is essential for venturing into unexplored areas and subsequently blending styles to produce a more approachable version of jazz.
One of the main goals of the festival is to shift jazz away from its image as an exclusive genre. Many attendees were motivated by their profound appreciation for the music, whereas others aimed to question preconceived notions associated with it.
It’s crucial that we develop a genuine understanding of what this festival is all about,” stated Cherif Diop, a resident of Saint-Louis. “Within our artistic and cultural community, we must delve into the surroundings to gain a clear perspective—not merely presume that jazz is exclusive to the upper class, too complex, or not meant for Africans. Our purpose here is to uncover the truth.
This year, with over 15 concerts taking place, the Saint-Louis Jazz Festival has once again established itself as one of Senegal’s premier cultural happenings, attracting attendees from all corners of the nation and further afield.
