Andreas Waelti

In November 2024, I had the pleasure of recording an album with my Tunisian friend Malek Lakhoua, who is a true force of nature – not only behind the drums. Malek is the founder of Tunisia’s first jazz record label, “Jazzit Records” and initiated a international music festival in Tunis under the same name, through which – despite numerous challenges – he supports young artists, musicians and initiatives, with the aim of bringing people and cultures together and fostering unity regardless of boarders. The second edition will take place the upcoming week at Mad‘art Carthage and IFT Sousse. Alongside these activities he produces exceptional olive oil on his families farm, is a beautiful humble human being and always a pleasure to chat and hang out with – which unfortunately makes my nights always slightly shorter than needed…

Malek brought this project together with with the American musician Kyle Schafer, who has explored and rearranged Tunisian melodies and songs through the lens of his US West Coast background. This research lead to “Tunisian Vibes“, where my Italian-Belgian friend, educator and saxophonist Pietro Vaiana and myself are featured. The album is now out on all streaming platforms and physical copies will follow soon, thanks to the support of Igloo and Jazzit Records.

Tunisian Vibes Volume II
Kyle Schafer – piano, keys & voice
Pierre Vaiana – soprano saxophone
Andreas Waelti – double bass
Malek Lakhoua – drums

Recorded November 15 & 16 2024 at Jet Studio Bruxelles
Engineered, mixed & mastered by Rudy Coclet
All songs arranged by Kyle Schafer
Photography by Arnaud Ghys

L I S T E N
https://orcd.co/0njjr1o

L I V E
03.04.2026 Jazzit Festival, IFT Sousse, Tunisia
04.04.2026 Jazzit Festival, Mad‘art Carthage, Tunisia

www.tunisianvibes.com
www.igloorecords.be

@malek.lakhoua @kyle.kais
@pietrovaiana @andreaswaelti
@jazzitfestival @jazzit_records
@igloorec @thejetstudio @iftunisie