When Jazz Meets Gaming: A Historic Musical Fusion

To close the Novembre Numérique 2025 season, We are Geekin’ produced a concert concept unique to Mauritius: “Jazz & Video Games.” This sold-out event at the Institut Français de Maurice proved that video game soundtracks are not just background noise—they are complex, emotional musical masterpieces worthy of the jazz treatment.

A “Dream Team” Line-Up

The success of this experimental project rested on the shoulders of the island’s finest musicians. We gathered a “Dream Team” spanning generations of Mauritian jazz talent to reinterpret 50 years of gaming history.

The ensemble featured:

• The Legends: Philippe Thomas (Trumpet) and Samuel Laval (Saxophone), two giants of the local scene who brought soul and technical mastery to the stage.

• The Arrangers: Jocelyn Armandine (Piano) and Hermans Pierre-Louis (Saxophone), who deconstructed 8-bit melodies to create lush jazz harmonies.

• The Rhythm Section: The groove was held down by Fabien Gourdin (Drums) and the talented Augustin Brothers (Jérémy & Samuel).

We were also honored to host two young Berklee College of Music scholars, symbolizing the bright future of Mauritian jazz.

From 8-Bit to Bebop

The concert took the audience on a sonic journey. Iconic themes from Mario, Zelda, Tetris, and Hades were stripped back and rebuilt with improvisation, swing, and fusion rhythms. The performance demonstrated how a simple chiptune melody could be transformed into a sophisticated jazz standard.

The energy in the room was palpable—a rare mix of jazz aficionados appreciating the virtuosity and gamers reacting with joy as they recognized their favorite themes.

A New Cultural Standard

This event pushed the boundaries of what a “geek” event can be. It highlighted that gaming culture is vast, influencing visual arts, storytelling, and music.

We are Geekin’ is proud to have pioneered this format in Mauritius. Keep an eye on our calendar for future musical explorations where pop culture meets high art.