Born in Tunis and trained in piano from an early age, Wajdi Riahi quickly discovered music as a universal language. After extensive studies, he moved to Brussels, where he developed a unique style, blending jazz, Mediterranean music, and the folk traditions that inspired him. His playing, both sensitive and rhythmically intense, combines melodic depth with improvisational freedom. He quickly established himself as one of the most promising young pianists on the European jazz scene, recognized for his ability to combine virtuosity with raw emotion, and as a sideman on numerous projects.

 

Wajdi Riahi Trio... already a long story

 

The Wajdi Riahi Trio was formed around him, with Basile Rahola on double bass and Pierre Hurty on drums. With Wajdi on piano, they have built a strong identity, combining finesse and energy, which they now bring to international stages. Together, they have found a rare balance: constant mutual listening, deep friendship, and musical complicity that give their trio a unique intensity. With two acclaimed albums already to their credit— Mhamdeya and Essia—the group has found its place on European stages, offering refined and vibrant music, nourished by their multiple roots and shared energy.

Last year marked a turning point: more than 50 concerts took Essia around the world (Montreal International Jazz Festival, Jazz des 5 Continents in Marseille, Nancy Jazz Pulsation, Natt Jazz in Norway, Ultramar Club and Canarias Jazz y Mas in Spain, Flagey in Brussels, Jazz à Liège, Jazz Cave in Romania, etc.).

Everywhere, the reception was enthusiastic, both from the public and the press. Belgian and French critics praised the freshness and depth of this music, which captivates as much by its lyrical intensity as by its generosity on stage. And always, on stage, there is a rare alchemy between the musicians that makes you want to come back again and again.

 

We want a new LIVE album!!

 

It was in this vibrant context that their new project was born: a live album. For the first time, the trio's music will also be released on vinyl, a precious and durable medium that reflects their desire to preserve a record of these shared moments. The album brings together a selection of tracks from Mhamdeya and Essia, revisited after dozens of concerts, enriched by experience, refined by time. Because music lives, transforms, and each interpretation carries the memory of the paths traveled. Added to this repertoire are two new tracks, reflecting the trio's constant evolution and desire to reinvent themselves.

This adventure took shape thanks to the Flak label and its Zabonprés Sessions series, dedicated to recording intimate concerts in a unique setting. The trio had the opportunity to play in front of around thirty people, in the heart of the Belgian Ardennes, in a small venue with a warm atmosphere, surrounded by forests and light. Three days of residency, punctuated by rehearsals, exchanges, and communal living, captured much more than just a concert: a collective breath, a rare intensity, music rooted as much in the moment as in the deep friendship that unites the three musicians.

 

One thing leads to another...

With this new album, the Wajdi Riahi Trio invites us to share an important milestone in its journey: music in motion, shaped by time, travel, and above all, friendship. An album that makes you want to see the trio live on stage, where it truly comes alive.

 

And the story continues: in January 2026, Wajdi Riahi will be the artist in residence at the Brussels Jazz Festival in Flagey. For the occasion, he will present his trio—with Basile Rahola and Pierre Hurty—in an ambitious new configuration, accompanied by a string quartet and a trumpet player. Because music is never static: this new live album is not an end in itself, but another step toward the future, toward ever broader and more inspired horizons.