99999 (Broken Silence) Souffles

'Souffles'('Breaths') is the 10th album from award-winning French flautist and composer Naissam Jalal. Written as an intimate and inspired dialogue between wind-instrument players it features Naissam in aseries of duets with eight prominent figures in jazz and improvised music, including Archie Shepp, Yom, Sylvain Rifflet, Thomas de Pourquery, Louis Sclavis, and Emile Parisien. Blending her own breath with these exceptional wind instrumentalists, Naissam has created eight vibrant duos. Several years ago, says Naissam;"I realised that I would probably never play with these fellow wind-instrument players who touch me in their musical expression but whom I have been rubbing shoulders with at jazz festivals for years. I realised that there would probably never be an opportunity to blend our sounds and our breaths unless I imagined it and provoked it." Versatile and free, Naissam Jalal sharpens her flute to express her thoughts and struggles, an intimate response to the trials of the world. She shines through her ability to forge links between different musical cultures and aesthetic fields. Thanks to encounters, imaginations, and memories, she presents a unique work with each creation. She deconstructs boundaries and invents a singular language that invites open and multiple horizons. Naissam Jalal's 2023 album 'Healing Rituals' brought her recognition in the UK with 5 excellent reviews, including both The Guardian and Songlines, and airplay on Jazz FM and 6Music. The album made a significant impact and as a result came the opportunity to perform at Gilles Peterson's 2024 Impressions show:two evenings to celebrate jazz at the Fondation Maeghtwith Kahil El Zabar's Etnic Heritage Ensemble, Muriel Grossmann, and Naissam Jalal & Rhythms of Resistance. 'Healing Rituals' was acclaimed one of the best jazz albums of 2023: The New York City Jazz Records (USA), Best 5 Jazz albums by RTS (CH), Top 10 albums by Radio Nova (FR). Also in 2023, Naissamwas appointed a 'Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters', a distinction given by French Governmental Ministry of Culture. In 2024, Naissam was named 'Best Flutist of The Year' by Jazz Magazine and Jazz News for the third time since 2021.