Dawn in Dakar
For Alto Saxophone & Jazz Piano Trio
Summary
| Original Title | Dawn in Dakar / For Alto Saxophone and Jazz Piano Trio |
| Original work | Dawn in Dakar |
| Composer | Masakazu Shiokawa |
| Arranger | Masakazu Shiokawa |
| Year of Arrangement | December 2025 |
| Instrumentation | Alto Saxophone, Piano, Drum, Double bass |
| Duration | approx. 9 minutes |
| Sheet Music Publisher | LesClefsOffice co.,Ltd. |
| Copyright Management | LesClefsOffice co.,Ltd. |
Work Description
Dakar is the capital of Senegal, a country in West Africa, and is globally known for the legendary off-road race, the Dakar Rally. As a major city on the Red Sea coast and a former French territory, Dakar has become one of the most progressive and forward-looking urban centers in the region.
Culturally, while the majority of Senegal’s population practices Islam, many belong to Sufi brotherhoods rooted in Islamic mysticism, known for their relatively moderate and peaceful doctrines. This moderation is reflected in their cultural attitudes—music, which is considered haram (forbidden) in some Islamic sects, is widely embraced in Senegal and even plays a role in religious ceremonies. Dakar is also home to a thriving dance culture and hosts international jazz festivals, giving the city a uniquely vibrant musical identity.
Inspired by this cultural atmosphere, I composed this work using jazz-rock idioms rather than traditional classical formalism. The structure unfolds freely over time, following the progression: Dawn → Midnight → Dawn, reflecting the natural passage of night into morning. In many Islamic regions, a call known as the Adhan is broadcast throughout the city to signal prayer times. This motif appears in the piece, expressed through the Hijaz maqam scale, a traditional Islamic mode, and re-imagined with a bebop rhythmic energy to evoke a lively, groove-driven Adhan.
The Dawn section also incorporates Sabar, a traditional Senegalese rhythm and dance form, featuring rapid, complex cross-rhythms alongside refreshing, sunlit harmonic cycles built from bright, atmospheric contemporary chords.
The original piano solo version was later arranged for alto saxophone and a jazz piano trio (piano, drums, and upright bass). The arrangement includes improvisational sections, allowing each performer’s jazz personality to emerge naturally. With the addition of drums, the piece emphasizes even stronger African rhythmic elements than the original version.
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