Wajdi Cherif

Wajdi Cherif's passion for music began at a young age when he started playing pop music he heard on the local radio by ear at the age of five. It wasn't until his late twenties, while studying in college, that his interest in jazz was sparked. He then discovered the works of pianists Chick Corea, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, and Thelonious Monk by watching their live performance videos. This pivotal moment marked a turning point in his musical career, and he decided to delve deeper into jazz piano and composition.

In 1998, Wajdi Cherif made his professional debut as a jazz pianist when he played with local jazz musicians at various venues and festivals in Tunisia. This was a valuable opportunity for him to collaborate with international jazz artists who were touring the country at the time. A few months later, he the opening set for jazz legend Archie Shepp at the “Jazz in Tunis” festival in the City Hall Theatre in Tunis.

Determined to further his musical passion, Wajdi moved to France and studied jazz piano and harmony with pianist Bernard Maury, a disciple and close friend of Bill Evans. During this time, he was exposed to great jazz pianists such as Kenny Werner, Chick Corea, Ahmad Jamal, and Martial Solal, to name a few. These experiences shaped his vision of music and piano playing and influenced his unique approach to playing the piano and writing music.

In 2003, Wajdi Cherif recorded his debut album “Phrygian Istikhbar” in Paris with Diego Imbert on acoustic bass, Jeff Boudreau on drums, and Habib Samandi on Arabic percussion. The album was a finalist in the Indie Acoustic Awards in the USA in 2004 and received positive reviews. Wajdi Cherif continued to mature as a pianist and composer with his 2006 album “Jasmine”, recorded with some of France's finest young jazz musicians. The album received accolades such as an honorable mention in the International Songwriting Competition (judged by Sonny Rollins, John Scofield, and Steve Vai), the Indie Acoustic Project's Best CD of 2005, and the first-place winner of the UNISONG Songwriting Contest.

Wajdi Cherif released his third album “Fuzzy Colors” in 2009, a fusion of jazz and personal compositions that showcase his musical influences. With his unique sound and distinctive performances, Wajdi has established himself as a leading jazz pianist on the jazz scene, performing at renowned venues such as the Tabarka Jazz Festival in Tunisia, the Institut Du Monde Arabe in Paris, the Jazz Festival of Reims in France, the Theatre Maison Neuve in Canada, and more. He has also played in several iconic jazz clubs in Paris, including the Duc des Lombards, Sunset/Sunside, and Baiser Salé.

Wajdi Cherif's talent has been recognized through several awards, including the International Songwriting Competition, Unisong Songwriting Competition, Songdoor Songwriting Competition, and "Cité Internationale des Arts de Paris". With a strong passion for jazz and other types of music, he continues to build a bridge between different worlds through his music and performances.