Fethi Nadjem
Trained in Algiers' Andalusian school, co-founder of Djmawi Africa at 21, a member of Jesse Cook's band since 2019: Fethi Nadjem plays the violin upright on his knee and fits centuries of North African music into a single bow
Biography
Born in Algeria in 1983 into a family of musicians, Fethi Nadjem picked up the guitar and the oud at 13, then trained at Algiers' Association des Beaux-Arts: Andalusian music, violin, Algerian mandole. At 21, he co-founded Djmawi Africa, the band that would tour the world for thirteen years — and where he also learned the kora.
Now based in Toronto, he has become one of the most sought-after musicians on Canada's world music scene: a permanent member of Jesse Cook's band since 2019, he also plays with Moskitto Bar, Moneka Arabic Jazz and Maryem Tollar. His violin, played vertically on the knee, has become his signature.
After twenty-five years of collaborations, he launched his solo career with Time 9 (April 18, 2025), a nine-track debut album supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council. He received the Toronto RBC Newcomer Arts Award for best music artist.
Stages and milestones
Co-founder of Djmawi Africa (thirteen years of world touring) · Member of Jesse Cook's band since 2019 · Toronto RBC Newcomer Arts Award — best music artist · Mixto Festival, Toronto, July 2026 · Debut solo album Time 9, April 18, 2025
Upcoming dates
- Thursday November 19, 2026 — Vitrine officielle · Rythmes Nocturnes — Mundial Montréal 2026 — 20 h 30 · Foufounes Électriques, Montréal (Canada) — Official page ↗
Public dates — collected from the artist's official channels on November 9, 2026.
Discography
Time 9 (debut solo album, April 18, 2025 — nine tracks)
Gallery
Calendar
- Thursday, November 19, 2026, 8:30 p.m. — Mundial Montréal 2026, Foufounes Électriques, Montreal (official showcases — Rythmes Nocturnes night)
- Thursday, January 14, 2027 — Contact Ontarois 2027, Shenkman Arts Centre, Ottawa
Show formats
- Solo concert — the world of Time 9: violin, mandole, kora and guembri
- In collaboration — jazz and world music ensembles
On video — their Mundial Montréal 2026 showcase
The official presentation video of Fethi Nadjem for Mundial Montréal 2026: Thursday, November 19, 2026 · 8:30 p.m. · Foufounes Électriques, Montreal. Video © Mundial Montréal — provided to Festival TV in the festival's official media kit.