Le Monde and Libération report the death on Monday of the Algeria born composer Maurice El Médioni who has died in Israel aged 95, Known for an Arab-Andalusian-swing-latin hybrid style first developed as a Jewish teen growing up in the Algerian city of Oran he was influenced by a wide range of music.
El Médioni was part of a soul of Algiers story told in the documentary El Gusto about an orchestra of Muslim and Jewish musicians torn apart by war 50 years ago who reunited for a special concert to play their beloved Chaabi music.
Creator of a style known as ''PianOriental'' there were elements of boogie-woogie, rumba, raï and Jewish Andalusian music in the unique blend.
El Médioni also featured as a guest on raï icon Khaled's Don Was produced Yah-Rayi on tracks such as 'Mani Hani'. El Médioni influenced musicians beyond Algeria and France where he lived for many years including English pianist Nikki Yeoh whose Cafe Oran themed project gigged in London last year. Legendary Late Junction broadcaster Max Reinhardt was among many paying tribute online writing on X formerly Twitter ''#RestinPianoriental Ya Muallem play me a song. Thanks for the joy.''
Tags: