Ruddy Boa 5Tet

Led by pianist Ruddy Boa, this project is an invitation to discover or rediscover Gwo-Ka, an iconic rhythm from Guadeloupe, in a new light. Following “Tribute to Lockel & Gwo-Ka Modèn Explorations” (with a fiery performance at Baiser Salé in 2025), this concert continues a musical adventure that began in 1969, when Gérard Lockel brought the Ka drum to the stage of the Cinéma-Théâtre Le Plaza. It was a revolution: Gwo-Ka left its traditional setting to become a source of limitless inspiration.

With “Echoes of the Plaza,” Ruddy Boa and his guests push the boundaries even further. Between original compositions and tributes to major figures such as Robert Oumaou (GwaKaSonné) and Kafé, this project blends Gwo-Ka with other musical worlds: the contemporary jazz of Kris Davis, Vijay Iyer, and Danilo Pérez, and even influences from 20th-century European music, such as Arnold Schoenberg and Olivier Messiaen.

This is also a rare opportunity to (re)discover the Karuka, a unique instrument designed by Ruddy Boa in homage to Gérard Lockel's Gwadlouka. A vibrant experience, where tradition and modernity come together to create an unforgettable resonance.