Driss El Maloumi and his producers Contre-Jour and Zig Zag World have brought together five exceptional musicians to record his latest album and to accompany his upcoming world tours. These artists are able to merge two worlds as different as classical Western music and Arabic music.
It is difficult to propose to an existing quintet to accompany the oud of Driss and the percussion of Saïd El Maloumi and Lahoucine Baqir. The bet to form an ensemble determined to integrate itself into the Moroccan virtuoso's so personal music was won.

Amèle Metlini (1st violin), Silvia Bazantova (2nd violin), Marie Ghitta (viola), Annemie Osborne (cello) and Adrien Tyberghein (double bass), the Watar Quintet, have made possible this delicate and exciting encounter between oud and string instruments that Driss had dreamed of for many years. Details, his new album, and the subsequent concerts are the realization of this idea. 

“When the virtuosity of the pure soul gives way to an ancient music with a crazy modernity...”.
Thierry Coljon - Le Soir
 

Little inclined to displays of virtuosity, the master of the Moroccan Oud shines through the modernity of his playing, the volubility of his swing and the innovative colors of his repertoire.