PropulsionLEAD

Once again, the PAUSE concert series joins forces with PROPULSION, the cross-border support programme for emerging jazz artists, now in its third edition. Join us at neimënster to discover the two awardees of the PropulsionLEAD track, each presenting a 40-minute showcase set. Selma Namata Doyen – Solo – Brötchen Brötchen — a word for “little bread rolls” in the vernacular of France’s Grand Est — might not deliver actual pastries, but it offers music made of small rhythmic cells: slowly baked, carefully shaped, and deeply resonant. Far from a bakery, this improvised solo remains unmistakably warm and welcoming. Jazz, contemporary music, and popular traditions coexist here — steadying hearts, stirring minds. First presented in an improvised form during the Journées du Matrimoine in September 2024 (Ici l’Onde x PointBreak), Brötchen centres around an expanded drum set enriched with percussion instruments like xylophone, marimba, and woodblocks. This solo is produced by PointBreak and supported by the jazzPropulsionWOMEN programme, allowing Selma to deepen her compositional approach through artistic encounters with percussionists such as Yuko Oshima, Michael Griemer, Yann Joussein, and Taiko Saïto. Selma Namata Doyen – drums, percussion Elisa Samoy Duo – Désanchantée In this exclusive duo performance, Elisa Samoy presents songs from her debut album alongside new compositions. Two guitars — sometimes entangled, sometimes free — carry the emotional weight of the text, which shifts between singing and spoken word. Through intimate writing, she reflects on the Absurd and explores what creation can offer as a form of resolution. Through the use of effects and sound experimentation, the saxophone emerges as a second voice — one of revolt. Her songs, both current and forthcoming, express a deep sense of disenchantment: ideals left in ruins as she confronts the world and human relationships. Yet this disenchantment transforms into protest, into poetic declarations and fragile shelters where everything can begin anew. With rage, disdain, tenderness, and hope, Elisa Samoy draws from a wide emotional palette to explore the overlapping stages of revolt, acceptance, and resignation — responses to the weight of our disillusionment... while the fools still stand. Elisa Samoy – classical guitar, vocals, tenor sax, effects Skander Jenhani – electric guitar