Danyel Waro & Interzone

When Austrian bass player Lukas Kranzelbinder (Shake Stew) first heard Danyèl Waro's music, he was deeply struck by the singer's voice and presence and knew immediately that they had to play together one day. His dream came true eight years later, when he travelled to Waro's home island of Reunion with his trio Interzone to meet the legendary Maloya musician and his band. They spent a week rehearsing together and getting to know one another – the latter even included a joint spiritual ceremony. On their return from the island, they finalised a musical programme that combines Waro's unique musical energies with Interzone's fresh and very exuberant approach. The collaboration made its world premiere at the Glatt & Verkehrt Festival in Austria in July 2022. Due to the huge success of the concert, they decided to continue their project in May 2024 with a four-concert tour, which we are very lucky to bring to the House of Music now.

Danyèl Waro
Danyèl Waro is the ambassador of the music of La Réunion, a volcanic island in the Indian Ocean. Acoustic maloya, the traditional music of Réunion Island, he is a great hero of the local blues scene. A musician and poet, he knows how to sing in Creole with unparalleled emotion: “For me, maloya is above all words. I look for the harmony, the image, and the rhythm in the word." La Réunion is still an overseas department and region of France. With his talent, Danyèl Waro is working to rediscover the original meaning of maloya, carrying a message of rebellion, hope and courage, and to raise awareness among the people of Réunion of the importance of their cultural heritage

Interzone
Interzone is an Austrian jazz trio started in 2010, consisting of trumpeter Mario Rom, bassist Lukas Kranzelbinder and drummer Herbert Pirker. They are all also members of the Shake Stew formation led by Kranzelbinder, which has also recorded with Shabaka Hutchings, one of the contemporary leaders of European jazz. To collaborate with Danyèl Waro, they drew on their extensive musical backgrounds – in particular having played with Moroccan Gnawa musicians – to seamlessly integrate into the complex rhythmic world of maloya.