Tabarka Jazz Festival unveils its 'Street Jazz' program

The 20th edition of the Tabarka Jazz Festival is set to make a significant comeback, announcing a vibrant "Street Jazz" program that will unfold in the city's public spaces. Running parallel to the main ticketed concerts from July 2 to 9, 2026, this free urban component aims to foster a continuous dialogue between international jazz offerings and a comprehensive showcase of Tunisia's contemporary jazz scene.

The street program kicks off on July 2 with Algerian guitarist Djamel Laroussi, who blends Maghrebi rhythms with guitar improvisations. Portuguese quartet Mão Cabeça follows on July 3 with their alternative jazz, featuring Portuguese lyrics. The international street lineup concludes on July 4 with the Serbian duo Innēr Sense, presenting electronic jazz and contemporary melodic textures.

From July 5 to 9, the focus shifts entirely to Tunisian talent. Composer Mohamed Ali Kammoun will present "JAZZNA," a project merging modern arrangements with regional heritage. Guitarist Fawzi Chekili will explore Oriental modes in jazz harmonies with "Taqasim Revival" on July 6. Pianist Omar El Ouaer and his Octun Quartet will perform on July 7, followed by saxophonist Ahmed Ajabi and his ensemble "Jazztet" on July 8. The street program culminates on July 9 with bassist Aziz Zouaoui's instrumental project Siroko, a fusion jazz endeavor.

These eight free street events complement the already announced main program at the Théâtre de la Mer, which features seven major paid concerts. Headliners for the main stage include Cuban pianist Alfredo Rodríguez, American singer Liz McComb, the Osool project by Yacine Boulares and Soufiane Saidi, Lebanese pianist Tarek Yamani, American artist Dee Dee Bridgewater with her "We Exist" creation, British group Kokoroko, and American performers Veronica Swift and Akua Naru. Organized under the auspices of the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and in partnership with local cultural institutions, the festival marks the return of this iconic event, originally established in 1973, to Tunisia's cultural landscape in the coastal city of Tabarka.