José Thérèse, the founder of Moz’art school, has for a long time wanted to open a shop for all music-related equipment. After three months preparation and heavy individual investment, his dream has come true.

It is a typical weekday at Paille-en-Queue Court, Port-Louis. However, something wonderful in the air has changed the routine of those who come for lunch or just pass by. Their attention is drawn to one spot, from where the sweet notes of a perfectly pitched flute can be heard: they attract all who hear them to a shop with an unsual window display. Make yourself at home, you are at “Music’ All Ltd”, please come in.

“Try this”, says the man behind the counter, presenting a new instrument to the one who had just been playing. Again fragments of melodies float upon the air. “It’s amazing. I produce the sound effortlessly”, says the player, who performs in hotels, but seems not to believe it. No question, it is good stuff for the ear and the art. What else could it be, as the advice comes from famous musician José Thérèse, the owner of the shop.

“We offer a vast array of musical equipment, from instruments with renowned trademarks (mainly Selmer) to rare accessories and sheet music” In fact, Music’All began its activities a few weeks ago and José Thérèse talks of a soft opening, before a more elaborate one scheduled next month. Already, in a pleasant setting, lovingly designed by José and his wife, the visitor to the shop will discover a range of dream instruments, from the saxophone to the clarinet.

Their prices may seem prohibitive but some have benefited from the recent reduction on custom duties so that they are cheaper than elsewhere. “We have received orders from Réunion. All these are for professionals,” adds José Thérèse, showing a silver flute, priced at Rs 68 000. “A selection of double-basses, wind and brass instruments will soon be coming into the shop. It is time to make the appropriate instruments available to Mauritian performers, many of whom have reached a high level of excellence in their playing.”

José’s assistants at the shop, who have studied with him at Moz’art school in Roche-Bois, and who are fervent jazzmen, stress on the difficulties local musicians have when they look for accessories like cases, reeds or strings. “It will be a relief for many to find replacement parts that were only available in Réunion,” says David Thomassoo. “Saxophonists, for example, had to send their instrument to Réunion for any repairs,” confirms his colleague, Yvan Bazire. José recalls : “20 years back, it was very difficult with cheap instruments made in China. I had to wait until 1987 to play on a proper Selmer Saxo. And that was in Denmark!”

At Music’All, you will also find other music-related materials, like inventive comics on great musicians such as trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie and recordings, like a 2-CD set by saxophonist Stan Getz. José’s staff, which includes a balance engineer, share the same knowledge and love of music. All know that for José, this shop is a childhood dream come true, that could help most talented musicians to blossom…

And as fragments of music still flow, it is as if the Air Mauritius Building has given birth to a new soul, one could even say : a voice to its Paille-en-Queue…