Untitled - Festival gnaoua

1
Table of Contents
a word from the festival director
P5
Fifteen years and as fresh as ever
P6
Through the pages
P10
Words from the artists P14
Our secret is ensconced in passion
P16
A fifteenth edition imbued with celebratory color
P18
Festival venues P24
New items in the fifteenth edition - forum P26
New items for the fifteenth anniversary - box set P28
Artistic residencies
P31
Fusions P36
Solo Artists P39
Intimist Concerts P43
Gnawa anthology P46
Festival Passes P48
our PARTNerS P49
CONTACTS P50
3
F
ifteen years ago the first sponsor I came across replied: « What, a Gnawa Festival! It must be a
joke! ». Well, no sir, it is not a joke, it was a more than serious proposition. The Gnawa and World
Music Festival have never and will never consist of merely a commercial performances because
it is the result of the passion and work of a handful of supporters of a free and truly authentic project.
This henceforth no-to-be-missed get-together is reflexive of the values propelling it since the time of its
inception, i.e. sharing and dialogue, fraternity and equality, the hope of having Morocco embrace other
cultures, the readiness to listen to new generations while moving resolutely ahead.
Without ever imagining that this event would achieve such a wide scope, we were convinced that culture
had the incomparable power to partake in the social and economic development of a nation and its
international prestige, provided its rich culture is dutifully preserved. The Gnawa, among many others,
constitute a part thereof and they can be proud today of being at the very top of the most fascinating
world music genres.
Make no mistake, the Gnawa and World Music Festival remains much more than a grouping of young
folks on the lookout for freedom. It is an event of a very unique kind because the Gnawa have always been
so, and because their spirituality is ancestral and still very much alive. It expresses itself in a universal
language, in other words in music and communion, one which transcends all intellectual discourse and
unites all schools of thought.
This 100 % Moroccan event has managed to stand out by its force and originality in order to become a
truly international reference, a “festival unlike any other” just as we promised on the very first day.
So thanks to all who at one time or another have accepted to place their trust in us by supporting our
audacious approach. Together let’s strive to maintain this wonderful achievement.
For everything they have offered us, the Gnawa are worthy of all praise and much more.
Neïla TAZI
Festival Producer and Director
5
One recalls that not so long ago, in 2006, a musical fusion of world music tinged with heavy gypsy and
oriental accents, and Gnawa music marked the ninth edition. Titi Robin actually went into a trance on the
stage alongside Malian Abdenbi El Gadari. With a guitar slung over his shoulder his eyes were fixated
on the master and he showed no hesitation in kneeling down at the same time. In a highly spontaneous
imitation someone called Thierry was hankering to find out what Gnawa art represented the music he had
discovered for the very first time. He was astounded. Maalem Abdenbi felt it strongly and let him continue
in a spirit of openness
This openness exists says Abdeslam Alikane, the Festival artistic director "for the fusion to be successful,
a genuine complicity and receptiveness must prevail between the musicians. The Gnawa must open up
spaces of expression to guest artists ". This, the maalems in their great majority respect to the letter. Very
generous in character, they hide their ego inside and definitely lend preference to sharing. The other form
of successful fusion consists of the impressive encounter of maalem Hamid El Kasri with the Austrian
keyboard artist Joe Zawinul. This great artist deceased in 2004, is known for performances alongside
famous names on the musical scene such as Miles Davis. The founder of Weather Report improvised very
lively African rhythms to demonstrate his adherence to guembri and the chants of maalem Hamid El Kasri.
This music from the south is familiar to Joe Zawinul. He has already worked alongside with the Malian
organ player Cheick Tidiane Seck. The latter came to Essaouira and fused with the Gnawa maalems.
Fifteen years and as fresh as ever
T
he Gnawa and World Music Festival is yet of the House of Essaouira. Construction lasted fifteen
years and has not been completed. The architects of this little jewel have no taste for leaving things
unfinished and so much the better. Each year the builders add a new stone to the general edifice.
Welcoming, warm hearted and brimming with hospitality, the inhabitants always find renewed pleasure
in celebrating the anniversary of its creation. At the end of every June the city decks itself out and readies
itself to swing to the vibrations of guembri, crotals and jazz sonorities by great masters. Upon each passage
within the city in conjunction with the inaugural parade, festival enthusiasts recall the high points while
their bodies and minds prepare for the experience of fresh sensations. Grant us the privilege, with due
authorization, to recall some images of certain bygone editions.
High quality African music has always been given a place of honor at Essaouira. The percussionist Doudou
N'Diaye Rose, the great Youssou N’Dour, the Senegalese singer and guitarist Baaba Maal also make up a
part of the people responsible in golden letters of the success of the festival and they are not the only one.
Jazz has left a strong footprint on the best moments of the Festival: Pat Metheny, Wayne Shorter performed
a never before witnessed fusions with Maalem Kouyou, the wind instruments of Stefano di Battista, Paulo
Fresu and Ibrahim Maalouf, pianists Omar Sosa, Boyan Z and Tigran Hamasyan. All these names recall
great moments of World Music. With regard to creativity, many concerts left an indelible imprint. The
music of the Korean percussionists of Samulnori Molgae troop fused with the Gnawa repertory of the
Baalil band directed by one of the disciples of the great maalem Sam. It was in 2008 when the city ramparts
still recall the sound of the buk (Korean drum) which was utterly phenomenal. So don’t be surprised if you
hear certain people who were attending on the day of this concert say : “That sound is still ringing in my
ears”.
Music is the star of the Gnawa Festival along with dance. Dance and music go so well together and the
orchestra conductors and artistic management have understood that very well since the 13th edition with
the Sukhishvili ballet of Georgia and the two maalems Mohamed and Saïd Kouyou of Marrakech. They
left no stone unturned in originality at the very last edition in 2011 with a particularly surprising creation.
That refers to the mix between Gnawa music and break dance of the La Halla Kingzoo company. Maalem
Omar Hayat a genuine stage animal once again showed that he was unafraid of anything. Whether with a
guitarist, trumpet player, pianist or break dancer this maalem from Essaouira can adapt to all circumstances.
His fans know that and properly paid him back by enthusiastically applauding this spectacular show now
remaining embedded in history.
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9
Through the pages
L’ÉCONOMISTE - 2 JULY 1999
«The Trance Music Festival made it possible to promote the image of Morocco and Essaouira enabling it to
break its isolation and while making it an emerging destination. With the success of the first edition behind
it and given the interest engendered, this event henceforth is becoming an annual meeting place. »
GÉO MAGAZINE – AUGUST 1999
« The Gnawa are healers always ready to offer music as a cure of youth. »
LIBÉRATION MOROCCO - JUNE 2000
«Tolerance and fraternity appear to be becoming the leading factor in the success of this Festival. It is all that
the Essaouira Gnawa festival inspired me and even more so, the hope instigated by this youth, of a world
where differences are no longer a source of conflict but rather, an opportunity of enrichment and mixture
being the harbinger of the future. »
MAROC HEBDO - 21 DECEMBER 2001
« Essaouira, one of the shining pearls of the Atlantic has just been named world heritage site by UNESCO.
The Essaouira festival played an important role in this consecration.
Since its inception the city has never ceased to attract tourists from all the world. »
LE NOUVEL OBSERVATEUR - 2002
«Black Africans, Jews, Berbers, and Christians intermingled in this port city at the crossroads of Europe and
Africa. Today more than anywhere else, Westerners and Moroccans share this city. The Essaouira Gnawa
and World music Festival is the symbol of this diversity. »
« INROCKUPTIBLES » - JULY 2002
« The Essaouira Gnawa Festival has never been and never will be a professional get-together. I have been
there so often, accredited by my newspaper, that the moment to admit that something has at last come to
pass. In my whole life I have never been so less the journalist as in Essaouira. Living an experience has
always been more interesting to me that just reporting on the musical exploits of one or other musician. (...)
Essaouira makes possible the total immersion that in reality one perceives to extend well beyond what our
five senses manage to detect. It is from this consubstantial mystery that the music of the Gnawa fraternities
draws its enchantment and from where the Essaouira Festival extracts the force for its future. »
LIBÉRATION France - 5 SEPTEMBER 2003
« This Moroccan event is one of the greatest musical events in Africa. »
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LE JOURNAL - 5/11 JULY 2003
« From the 26th to the 29th of June, Mogador swung to the exceptional strains of the Gnawa world music
matinee. More than 300,000 people came to Essaouira to experience with intensity the most popular and
festive celebration in Morocco. (...) »
LE MONDE - 2007
« Essaouira Festival takes place in June of each year. It can boast of ten years of existence and has become
Morocco’s leading music festival which is remarkable given the huge number of other festivals held in the
Cherifian Kingdom. »
LA VANGUARDIA - 2004
« And all that, reaffirming that the most essential aspect is to live it as a whole, a vital musical journey not to
be forgotten, one of the most magical festivals on earth. Simply the tops… »
THE NEW YORK TIMES - 2008
« I came to hear music and I discovered magic (...) Essaouira, this midsummer night’s dream where people
come for the music and the magic of all the beauty and unforgettable moments... »
MÉDINA - SEPTEMBER 2004
« … No other festival in Morocco manages to bring to a city what the Essaouira Gnawa and World Music
Festival does. »
LE SOIR - 30 JUNE 2008
« The different editions pass by, the magic remains. »
RADIO MUSIQUE - 2005
« Over a period of four days at Essaouira, Morocco has the ambition of becoming a path or gateway between
Africa, the Maghreb and the rest of the world. From the Americas to Africa, from Europe to Asia the intensity
of these get-togethers has placed the magic of our culture well beyond our borders and fondest hopes. »
BAYANE AL YAOUM - 25 JUNE 2005
« Currently deemed to be one of the greatest international festivals, the Essaouira event has injected new life
into Gnawa music. »
LE MATIN DU SAHARA - 22 JUNE 2006
« The Festival has taken on a universal dimension by becoming the meeting place of a culture and harbinger
of new spirituality, one that guides new generations on the lookout for the sublime conducive to ideals such
as solidarity and sharing. »
LE POINT - 2006
« Without this Festival perhaps Gnawa music might have become extinct”, says maalem H’mida Boussou
(…). This statement says a lot about the importance of the Essaouira Gnawa and World Music Festival World.
»
LE FIGARO - 2006
« Since its inception nine years ago, in Morocco’s coastal city the great coming together of local traditional
and world music has established itself as a not-to-be-missed event. »
L’OPINION - 2007
« A never before experienced moment enabled thousands of people to appreciate this extraordinary mix
between black Africa, Central and South America and Europe. Thanks to the Essaouira Gnawa Festival its
music has been reborn. An entire heritage is being returned to the fore in an immensely enhanced manner. »
TELQUEL - 10 MAY 2008
« Festival: Essaouira my love (...) The Essaouira Gnawa and World music Festival is unlike any other. The
eldest of music festivals opened the festivities and like unto a wise man it deserves our respect. The Gnawa
and World Music Festival is entering its tenth decade while Essaouira is recognized as the Mecca of Gnawa
music enthusiasts … »
EL AYAM – 23 May 2008
« The foundation of a Festival dedicated to Gnawa art at the outset seemed a bit strange, however, the
adventure quickly turned into an annual event going well beyond a simple artistic venture by becoming a
genuine vector of tourist and economic development of the entire city of Essaouira. »
THE NATIONAL, 12 JULY 2009
« It must be the nexus of setting and soundtrack, but there is nothing on Earth
quite like the Festival of Gnawa. »
BBC - 22 AUGUST 2009
« We are here to try and capture the special magical spirit that the Gnawa tradition brings to Essaouira. »
L’OBSERVATEUR - 03/09 JULY 2009
« The Gnawa Festival is akin to communion. Artists loathing to leave the stage, the public wishing it to go on
forever and merchants feeling a tug at the heartstrings on the closing Sunday. »
AL AHDAT AL MAGHRIBIA – 18 JUNE 2010
«Apart from the artistic side of the world’s leading Gnawa event, the Festival actively participates in the
creation a new dynamic which, although limited in time, remains very important. This dynamic primarily
concerns the social and economic activities that take off so resolutely during the festival. »
SONGLINES MAGAZINE - 2011
« The world’s largest, most unrelenting jam session. »
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Words from the artists
LOUIS BERTIGNAC
(FRANCE)
« It’s the top jam session on the planet! My love story with Essaouira began about fifteen
years ago with an unforgettable session lasting several hours in the presence of a certain
Abdeslam Alikane. Thanks to this get-together a new world opened up to me. This is without doubt the most fascinating festival I ever performed at. »
OUMOU SANGARÉ
(MALI)
« In 13 years of tours across the whole world I have never seen a festival quite like this.
Besides I am extremely touched to witness that the festival team is principally made up of
young women struggling for their country. »
TRILOK GURTU
(IndIA)
« It’s fantastic, just like in my country, India. Nothing is close yet nothing is far away, we are all
ONE! »
BABA SISSOKO
(Mali)
« I feel very moved to be here at this Festival on African land, the land of Gnawa. This is a
culture for which I have much respect and that I want to know more about. It is a magical city
and I never would have imagined a city like that could really exist. »
JUSTIN ADAMS
MAÂLEM ABDESLAM ALIkANE
(MOROCCO)
« The festival has given a dynamic to the Gnawa musicians who are all awaiting the kick-off
date. They work on repertory of the stage, look after their garments or have some made just
for this event. Today I perform all over the world and am proud to say that I am a Gnaoui.
Formerly one only spoke of ritual, a community of the poor, but today this music is considered
to be a source of wealth. »
TIGRAN HAMASYAN
(Armenia)
« This festival is simply incredible. The atmosphere, the state of mind, music everywhere, and
Gnawa music is incredible too. I’m crazy about it! »
SALIF KEITA
(Mali)
«I feel highly concerned about the history of the Gnawa because this music comes from Mali. For this
reason I am proud to be here and I admit that for a long while I have wanted to produce something
in collaboration with Gnawa musicians. »
ÉRIC LEGNINI
(France)
« There were moments when it was a little like research, we listened and at times we entered into
trances in communion with the music. »
JOE ZAWINUL
(Austria/USA)
« In Essaouira I lived some of the best days in my life » (deceased 11 September 2007).
(United Kingdom)
« Those Gnawa musicians are like scientific experts... »
PAT METHENY
MAÂLEM MUSTAPHA BAqBOU
(Morocco)
« Thanks to the Gnawa festival, « tagnaouit» has become as international music, a world stature has been given thereto. »
MAÂLEM H’MIDA BOUSSOU
(Morocco)
« The Gnawa were isolated and away from the major music trends. The Essaouira Festival revealed them. »
RACHID TAHA
(France/Algeria)
« This festival made me want to find out more and get to know better real Gnawa music.”
(USA)
«It was one of the best experiences I ever had as a musician with so many things that will stay
within me forever. Those who organize this festival do so with love, in spite of the difficulties,
and the outcome is nothing short of incredible. »
TITI ROBIN
(FRANCE)
« This festival is the best I have experienced in several years. Today the usual welcome extended to
artists has become commercial. In Essaouira it’s just the opposite. Without forgetting its determination to make it a grassroots festival with a wide open and extensive audience, the number of concerts
does not constitute a significant element because it is the quality and coherence of the performances
that are given precedence. »
MAÂLEM HAMID EL KASRI
(Morocco)
« The Festival has allowed the Gnawa to better express their music from an artistic, scientific
and spiritual standpoint. »
15
Neila Tazi
" Our secret is ensconced in passion "
The Essaouira Gnawa World music festival is celebrating its fifteenth edition from
21 to 24 June 2012. In this interview event producer Neïla Tazi speaks about the
high points of this festival and challenges to overcome in the future.
This year the Gnawa World Music Festival is celebrating fifteen years of existence. What will be the high
points of the 2012 edition?
For fifteen years we have made sure this festival becomes a high point, an event awaited with much
expectation throughout the year, a high point due to the magic, its unique atmosphere and its first-of-atime artistic get-togethers. Through the diversity of its program, we have proceeded in such a way that
each of the hundreds of thousands of festival goers finds his/her very own high point. This year, from a
musical standpoint, certain concerts already hold the promise of exceptional musical moments in the form
of spirituality in conjunction with the joining together of the Qawwalis of Pakistan and the Issaoua of
Meknes, the musical fusion between maalem Hamid El Kasri and the saxophonist Soweto Kinch. Maalem
Abdeslam Alikane will hook up with virtuoso jazz guitarist Sylvain Luc, otherwise known as Mr. Guitar
and well known for pushing improvisation to its limits. Another event not to be missed this year is without
doubt the Forum held on the topic of “Cultures in resistance”. It is a forum bringing together personalities
from different spheres to speak about the importance of culture that has become a genuine societal issue in
these times of freedoms we witness gradually shrinking in our region. The Gnawa World Music Festival is getting ready to celebrate its fifteenth edition. What vision do you
have today about the on-going status of this event?
Across time this event has become a cultural get-together known and recognized by everyone. Some
qualify it as part of the national heritage. It’s true that the audience hails from the four corners of the globe
and that each year the Gnawa Festival manages to transport us and make it possible to crossover a specific
threshold. Every year, the entire city is driven by a forward thrust doing away with hurdles through the
alchemy of creative and popular creation. Today when one speaks of festivals one evokes Essaouira and
vice versa. We continue to deal with this festival with determination and even more passion and conviction
than on the first day.
Increasingly, the festival imposes the concept of artistic residences. What is behind this deliberate position?
Gnawa music is ancestral in nature and brimming with values linked to history. It is commensurate with
Africa, the cradle of all music and the Gnawa have become true ambassadors thereof. Their art commands
"We will continue to contend with this festival with
determination and even greater passion and conviction
than on the very first day."
respect due to its ability to ensure the transmission of tradition and the quest for determined touch of
modernity. This is because the said modernity has enabled the maalems (masters) to move forward along
their way and in social status. Via artistic residences there are now opportunities for the musicians to live
a new experience and for the festival goers (whether seasoned, enthusiastic or just curious) to live moments
of exceptional never-before-experienced musical occurrences. What is so fantastic about this festival is the
originality of its programming and its permanent aptitude for risk taking. The potentialities are infinite and
Gnawa music has before it a genuinely bright future.
The Gnawa tradition is now fully recognized. According to you what are the next challenges to be overcome?
My most earnest desire is to have Gnawa music designated as oral and immaterial world heritage treasures
of UNESCO. This has been a long trek and a substantial job has been accomplished. We hope our new
Culture Minister will help us move ahead in this matter as such an approach can only be brought before
member states. Political determination is crucial in such an instance. The Gnawa heritage belongs to an entire
region encompassing Morocco, Algeria and even Tunisia, even though the name given may sometimes be
different. Nearly three years ago we created the Yerma Gnawa Association dedicated to the preservation and
promotion of the Gnawa tradition. Several projects came to the fore and especially this year we initiated an
important project through the edition of a Gnawa anthology.
Crossing the ten years mark, the organization of this festival began to occur with much greater ease. What
is the secret of this serenity so acutely felt today?
Our secret lies within the passion, determination and attention by the entire team to work well done. This
festival was first initiated in less than rudimentary conditions. The fact of having the 15 editions of this
festival under the prevailing conditions can only be a source of trust in our competencies and token of our
faith in the pertinence of our project. Each year we will reach a new level and overcome other difficulties
heading towards wider horizons. We work to make this festival one of the best in the world involving
creative and popular intelligence. Gnawa music, much like jazz and the blues, bears within it the stigma of
sufferance, the irrational and the longings of mankind. This is why it is experienced as a gateway or genuine
hyphen mark between people. To take up this challenge we have almost all the parameters of the equation:
the bewitching music, the marvelous city of Essaouira, the unbroken determination, a totally convinced
partners, and loyal festival goers, because the festival is above all a formidable cultural project bringing up
the beauty of Moroccan culture throughout the world. For all these reasons, we are optimistic, all the more
that our new minister of culture Mr Sbihi is very sensitive to our endeavour.
17
15th edition
From 21 to 24 June 2012
2012
Opening procession: a ritual
Artist residencies, a capital source to be consolidated
Fusion is in the air
Fusion and solos
More intimist concerts for true enthusiasts and
music lovers
The discussion tree: after the concert, a discussion
Festival first performances 19
maalems will be rolling up their sleeves. Some have already made their special accouterments for the
fifteenth anniversary. The garments will be colorfully faithful to the image of this image. The opening
will occur in brilliant fashion. Firstly, because this year the inauguration coincides with the international
music celebrations. The Essaouira event will be integrated into the Music Festival celebrations across the
world. Even though the celebration is still present in Essaouira during the festival over entertainment it
is still music and culture that predominant. Since its inception, the Gnawa and World Music Festival has
been positioned in the scope of musical research rather than just a festival of diverse manifestations. It is
in this direction that the artistic residences are paramount in the artistic programming.
This year five projects have entered into the laboratory. This refers to Maalems Saïd Oughassal and
Abdellah Akharraz with the percussions of West Africa, Djembe and New Style in an explosive mixture.
Maalem Hassan Boussou, the Nasser band from Marseilles and Moroccan rapper Mobydick, will offer an
astonishing and original spectacle called « Mix Up Morocco » in partnership with the Marsatac festival.
Also on the menu will be Cuban Querencia and New York Latin jazz music with the repertory of maalem
Abdelkebir Merchane. A great mixture of Latin jazz and Gnawa that won’t fail to attract numerous music
lovers. In a spontaneous and well though out residency, the Meknes Issaoua will synchronize to the
rhythms of Qawwalis musicians from Pakistan and not just any because they will be the two brothers
Fareed Ayaz and Abu Mohammad.
Among the artistic roster will be star the malian diva Oumou Sangaré who will enchant again Essaouira.
Her performance will be memorable and the artistic producers will capitalize on the sure value made in
Africa. Jazz being the predilection of the festival in second place after the guiding star of Gnawa, great
jazzmen will come to Essaouira to mark the 15th anniversary. Sylvain Luc and maalem Abdeslam Alikane
and his Tyour Gnawa troop will communicate from the Moulay Hassan stage an exchange consisting of
the purest of notes via an impressive improvisation. Other notable guests will be the musicians of the
Joachim Kühn trio, Majid Bekkas, Ramon Lopez & the Gnawas of Salé. The well known German pianist
Joachim Kühn will weave his impressive music throughout the entire city.
A fifteenth edition imbued
with celebratory colors
G
nawa World Music fans will be well served this year. The 2012 edition will indeed be imbued with
a special flavor. This fetival has been around for fifteen years, and the celebration will be more
than appropriate. Several surprises will be planned. The idea is to celebrate this anniversary as
it should be yet. It constitutes also a way to pay homage another time to all those who have so faithfully
supported the holding of this festival. The Gnawa musical heritage will as always be in the limelight
and new sound experiences will inhabit the city for four full days. Jazz, electro rock, African rhythms,
Sufi music, and Latin jazz will all come to the fore. No musical soul will be left in the lurch. The Gnawa
FEte de la musique: Essaouira is in the circuit
21 june 2012
Great news for music lovers. This year the opening of the Gnawa Festival wonderfully coincides
with the worldwide Fête de la musique. Celebrated in more than 116 countries this year the Fête de
la musique could never happen without Essaouira. This year the city will partake in the celebration
by entering into the circuit. Launched in France in 1982, the Fête de la musique has seen remarkable
development internationally. It started to be exported outside of France in 1985 in conjunction with
European Music Year. In less than fifteen years it is reedited over the five continents. Through this joint
event the public and private organizers have shown their determination to boost better knowledge of
the artistic realities of their country and to develop intercultural relations. Called upon by the French
Association for the development of Creation, Studies and Projects (ADCEP), the Gnawa and World
Music Festival this year has accepted to partake in celebrations across the world.
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Fifteenth edition to a
backdrop of festive colors
Opening procession
Faithful to its traditions the Gnawa and World Music Festival like every year kicks off with the inaugural
procession. This event marks the beginning of the festivities. It constitutes a signal moment for the
Gnawa. This ritual or "Al Aâda" for the initiated acts, not only as a benediction but, is also a prayer
for the now great defunct or ill Gnawa masters who have handed down their knowledge and talent.
Maalems hailing from all regions of Morocco celebrate upon this occasion in the company of some
members of their family. The Hmadcha and Issaoua confraternities will also participate. The procession
will leave from Bab Doukkala at 5:00 pm. Together they will read the Fatiha (opening verse of the Holy
Quran) before beginning the festivities. It is amidst chants and dances that the Gnawa moussem of
modern times is officially opened down to the ramparts of Moulay Hassan square.
Artist residences
The Gnawa maalems and guest artists will join together just long enough to produce unique musical
creation. Discovery, research and perseverance will be the passwords of these exceptional moments of
interchange. This year five artistic residences will be on the menu on a very jazzy tonality along with a
sprinkling of latino.
• Maalem Saïd Oughassal, Abdellah Akharraz and the group of made in Africa percussions called
Africa Djembe New Style
• The Issaoua of Meknes with Pakastani Fareed Ayaz and Abu Muhammad
• « Mix Up Morocco »: Maalem Hassan Boussou, Marseilles group Nasser and rapper Mobydick
• Maalem Abdelkebir Merchane with Cuban music and the Latin jazz of New York Querencia
• Maalem Hamid El Kasri and jazzy hip hop of saxophonist Soweto Kinch
Fusions
As usual, the festival continues to program maalem Gnawa fusions with the most celebrated musicians
of world music. Improvisation and synergy join together on the stage. Artists and maalems of renown
will convey their full gamut of enthusiasm.
• Maalem Abdeslam Alikane & Tyour Gnawa and Sylvain Luc
• Maalem Mustapha Bakbou and the musicians of Bob Maghrib
• Maalem Mohamed Kouyou and the musicians of Mayara Band
Solo performers
Each year several bands from Morocco and elsewhere grace the Gnawa and World Music Festival.
These bands play solo on the Festival stages in their usual formations. In addition to the fusions, the
guest artists will unveil their true talents as musicians at specific times particularly dedicated thereto.
• Joachim Kühn trio, Majid Bekkas, Ramon Lopez & the Gnawas of Salé
• Bob Maghrib
• Mayara Band
• Hoba Hoba Spirit
• Maalem Mahmoud Guinea
Intimist style concerts
Zaouia Sidna Bilal, the Borj of Bab Marrakech and the Dar Souiri space, as in previous years, will
be the home of acoustic concerns where the maalems interpret the traditional repertoire. Lovers of
unadulterated tagnaouit will revel in the music there. This year eight of the most famous maalems will
liven the space at the beginning as end of the lilas in a convivial and intimist atmosphere.
• Maalem Mokhtar Guinea
• Maalem Mohamed Lebbat
• Maalem Abdenbi El Gadari
• Maalem Abdelkader Amlil
• Maalem Allal Soudani
• Maalem Abdelouahed Stitou
• Maalem Saïd El Bourki
• Maalem Mahjoub Khalmouss
• Maalem Saïd Tahlaoui
• Issaoua of Essaouira
closing concert
Maalem All Stars
• Maalem Omar Hayat
• Maalem Mustapha Baqbou
• Maalem Saïd Oughassal
• Maalem Abdelkader Amlil
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Festival venues
Zaouia Sidna Bilal
Freed slave, follower of the Prophet and Islam’s very first muezzin, Sidna Bilal
is the spiritual ancestor of all Gnawa. The Zaouia bearing his name is in a typical
18th century Essaouira house. During the Festival it is the home of entrance fee
lilas.
The large public and free entrance happening are held on Moulay Hassan Square
and the Meditel-Beach stage. The Festival also takes over the terrace of the Bab
Marrakech Bastion for open air concerts. Dar Souiri and Zaouia Sidna Bilal will
be the home of lilas and intimist concerts.
Moulay Hassan Square
Borj Bab Marrakech
It is on the spacious esplanade in Moroccan/Portuguese style set against the
ramparts of the medina that everything began. Moulay Hassan Square is the
home of the mythical Festival stage. Since 1998, it has witnessed unforgettable
fusions between the Gnaoua maalems and the greatest names on the jazz and
world music scene.
Meditel Stage
The Essaouira stage is one of Morocco’s most beautiful and paradise of kite
surfers. It consists of a vast expanse of sand protected by the fishing port and
Mogador Island. This stage built right on the beach is the venue for Moroccan and
international artists of recognized talent. It is also audacious in its programming
through the presentation of fusions or residences focused around Gnawa music
and present day music.
Dar Souiri
This riad built in 1907 inside the ramparts was the home of the Provincial
Authority in the days of the Protectorate. Today it is the seat of the EssaouiraMogador Association and a space integrally dedicated to culture. During the
Festival it is a venue for entrance fee concerts.
This is a new rehabilitated place used by the Festival. Built into the ramparts
this massive 19th century tower designated historical monument once served
as an ammunition dump. Today the terrace is the home of entrance fee open air
concerts under the sparkling stars.
The discussion tree
Friday 22nd June, Saturday 23rd at 04:00 pm and Sunday 24th at 11:00 am / Alliance franco-marocaine
Free entry within the limit of empty space
The discussion tree is one of the not-to-be-missed occasions of the Gnawa
Festival. This forum for dialogue and interchange is held every afternoon at
05:00 pm at the head office of the franco-Moroccan Alliance on Lalouj street.
Around coffee or tea, the Gnawa artists and world music guests enter into
freehanded dialogue in a participant friendly atmosphere. The public can ask
questions and partake in the debates in fraternal fashion. Emmanuelle Honorin,
music critic and journalist and at the origin of this unique initiative, again this
year will moderate the round tables of the discussion tree. She is also programmer on multi-disciplinary
stages such as « Contradanza » and « Bal creole de la Bellevilloise » in Paris. Her most recent book
« Piazolla, le tango de la démesure/Piazolla or the tango of excess » was published by Demi-lune in
2011. This year Emanuelle Honorin will have company. Beside her will be Moroccan journalist Maria
Moukrim. This journalist will contribute to facilitating interchange, in particular by ensuring a dialogue
between the Arabic-speaking participants. Former chief editor of the weekly Ayam, Maria Moukrim
recently launched her own electronic magazine "febrayer.com"..
25
New items in the fifteenth edition
"Societies in mouvement, cultures in freedom"
Forum
Organized with the support of the National Council of Human Rights
Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd June – from 10:00 am to 01:00 pm
M
usic brings people together. This phrase may seem to be overly theoretical but, the Gnawa World
Music Festival has shown black on white that art is a bona fide frontier smasher. Whatever
the hurdles, culture finally winds up victorious. By returning dignity and respect to the Gnawa
and, by opening up enthusiastically to world music, the Festival has played a pivotal role in cultural
creation as an alternative to the current trends of identity seeking and community focus. The Cultures in
resistance Forum, with two round tables on the menu, will constitute an occasion for wider discussion of
this topic. It will also entail understanding what can lead an artist to embrace politics. Is it an impulsive
approach or genuine commitment? The guests invited for these two days of debate will be called upon
to respond to these interrogations.
To drive the discussion further on, associative and cultural actors and thinkers concerned by this topic,
will be invited to speak about the role of culture in our societal project and public policies. What links
us together? What is the common denominator between humanist militants across the world? This
forum has the purpose of joining together the most authoritative voices from all continents who have
chosen to jointly prove that creation, cultural and artistic expression constitute a vector of choice for the
safeguarding of universal values.
Guest participants
Leading personalities will come to this colloquium on cultures in resistance. Artists, writers, ministers
from several continents will be invited to come partake in this debate.
• YOUSSOU N’DOUR (Senegal), artist, Minister
of Culture and Tourism
• MOHAMED AMINE SBIHI (Morocco), Minister
of Culture
• IRINA BOKOVA (Bulgaria), General Director of
UNESCO (awaiting confirmation)
• DRISS EL YAZAMI (Morocco), President of
National Council of Humanrights (CNDH)
• LE COMTE PHILIPPE POZZO DI BORGO
(France), businessman and writer
•NOUREDDINE MOUADIB (Morocco), President
of the International University of Rabat
• PASCAL BLANCHARD (France), historian
Other names are to be confirmed.
•FREDDY NYATHELA (South Africa), anti
apartheid activist, Director of the South African
Roadies Association
• DICK ANNEGARD (Pays-Bas), musician
•TAREK AMARA (Tunisia), journalist, Reuters
Press Agency in Tunis
•YASSINE AHJJAM( Morocco), actor, elected
official PJD
• LATEFA AHRRARE (Morocco), actrice
•DRISS KSIKES (Maorocco), writer, playwright
• ZHOR REHIHIL (Morocco),
Custodian of the Museum of Judaism (Casablanca)
• MAHI BINE BINE (Morocco), painter
• JAMAA BAIDA (Morocco), Director of National
Archives
27
New items for the fifteenth
anniversary
The fifteen year anniversary box set
Each edition has its souvenirs, key chains, tee shirts, caps with the insignia of their favorite festival
are up for purchase in official boutiques. This year the producers have thought of something even
more original. A box set of CD+DVDs has been exclusively designed to suitably celebrate the fifteenth
anniversary. The archives of six hundred hours of music and festival images with the assistance of
Sigma Technologies have been compiled to develop a retrospective boxed set of fourteen newly edited
editions representative of the sharing and most typical moments. This box set offers the best concerts
and fusions and tells the story of the festival interpreted by all the artists having contributed to its
success.
This event has been the witness of great musical moments enabling the Gnawa to shine alongside the
greatest of musicians. It also integrates Gnawa into the world music repertory making it possible to
fuse with artists hailing from around the world. Major names in jazz, the Qawwalis of Pakistan, the
Gypsies of Rajasthan, the capoeira of Brazil, the Salsa of Cuba, the percussions of Korea; the jazz of New
Orleans, the blues of Mississippi without forgetting the rhythms of the continent of Africa. The box set
also comprises a documentary DVD covering the history and exceptional experience of the Festival
produced by Ali Essafi and Abderrahim Mettour.
As pointed out in the memo of intention of the producer, "the film will consist of archives and dotted with
several testimonies by artists, festival goers coming from all horizons and excerpts of very high quality
concerts, the fruit of lengthy coverage and documentation work produced by Sigma Technologies and
by the entire Festival team since the time of its inception".
Abderrahim Mettour is intimately familiar with the Gnawa World Music Festival and it’s quite natural
given that every year he films the backstage of this musical event. Trained in audiovisual technology at
Hassan II University in Casablanca he has worked at Sigma Technologies since 1998. He made several
films for large entities. He also participated in the adventure of the film “Nayda” with Farida Belyazid.
This box set is 100% made in Morocco and will be distributed for its launching exclusively at la Fnac
in France and Morocco. Fnac, a major key player in the Moroccan cultural landscape will give to the
project an important place in terms of its distribution and promotion in Morocco and abroad.
The launching of the box set is scheduled for June 18, 2012.
29
Artistic residencies
Maalem Said Oughassal and Abdellah Akheraz, Djembe New Style
Moulay Hassan Square - Inaugural concert
Guembri and percussions will be the stars of this artistic residence. These instrumentalists will be directed by a great
Gnawa maalem from Casablanca, a fabulous drummer from Essaouira and djembé virtuosos from West Africa. This
explosive mixture of song and dance will perform at the Festival's inaugural concert on Thursday 21st June at 8:00
pm in Moulay Hassan Square.
Maalem Saïd Oughassal (Casablanca/Morocco)
Maalem Said Oughassal
was born in Casablanca
in 1964 in a family
attached to the Gnawa
musical tradition. A true
virtuoso of the guembri,
Maalem Oughassal has performed on many stages
in Morocco and elsewhere. Residing in Madrid he
has collaborated with several well-known artists
including jazzman Randy Weston, the saxophonist
Jorge Pardo and guitarist Paco de Lucia. His
performances at the Gnawa and World Music
Festival for him will be an occasion to express and
share his passion for Gnawa music and art.
Maalem Abdellah Akharraz (Essaouira/Morocco)
Hailing from Essaouira, Maalem Akharraz was
trained by Maalem Boubker (father of Maalem
Mahmoud Guinea). After playing with Maalem
Paca, he completed his training with Tyour Gnawa
with whom he has participated in many events
across the 5 continents over nearly 15 years. In 2010,
he created his own group.
Djembe New Style (West Africa)
Djembe New Style is a
band joining together
young masters along
with current djembé and
“new style” combining
rapidity, performance and
musicality. Balsafons, n'goni, tama, guitar and kora
are all on the day’s menu. Among the musicians
there is "Petit" Adama Diarra (Mali), Adama Bilorou
(Burkina Faso), Harouna Dembele (Burkina Faso),
Thomas Guei (Côte d'Ivoire), Kalifa Koné (Mali),
Kankan Bayo (Guinea), Ibrahima "Sory" Diabaté
(Guinea), and Babara Bangoura (Guinea). Their
solo albums and participation in internationally
celebrated bands and companies such as "Yelemba"
or "Afrika Afrika" have deeply marked the position
and djembé playing in their respective countries.
Their repertoire is astonishing in rapidity, power and
musical creativity. The way they move on the stage
places side by side music, humor, choreography and
performance.
31
Artistic residencies
Artistic residencies
Maalem Abdelkebir Merchane and Querencia
Mix Up Maroc: Maalem Hassan Boussou, Nasser, Mobydick
Borj Bab Marrakech
Méditel stage
When the Latin sonorities meet up with jazz and Gnawa music a highly rhythmic residence is created. This is what
is offered by the musicians of New York band Querencia and the highly charismatic Maalem Abdelkebir Merchane.
This event will, without doubt, occur alongside the concert to be held on Saturday 23rd June at 09:00 pm at Borj Bab
Marrakech.
Mix up Morocco is a residence in partnership with the Marsatac Festival in France. Between the Tagnaouit of Hassan
Boussou, the electro rock of the Marseilles Nasser troop and the freehanded rap of Moroccan Mobydick, this gettogether, shows much promise. « Mix Up Morocco » made a recording in 2012 as an occasion to improve and enrich
even more this project. Meanwhile, come discover them in a first performance preview in Essaouira on Saturday
23rd June at 12:45 pm at the Meditel stage.
Maalem Abdelkebir Merchane
(Marrakech/Morocco)
Abdelkebir Merchane was born in 1951 at Marrakech.
At barely 9 years of age for him tagnaouit no longer
held any secrets. Of Arabic origin he is the only
Gnaoui in his family. It was after several miscarriages,
altogether 11, that his mother placed him in the care
of a black African nurse. From his very early youth
he was able to attend lilas. Masters El Ayachi, Bakbou
and Mohamed Sam introduced him to tagnaouit in
the purest of traditions. His styles of predilection
are the marsaoui (Essaouira) and the marrakchi. He
has participated in several international festivals in
Europe, Arab countries and in Japan. Today he leads
the Oulad Sidi H'mou band.
Querencia (New York/Cuba)
In the world of bullfighting the Querencia is the
spot in the arena where the bull automatically goes
when it feels either under threat or in need to recover
strength. This perseverance is the same as that felt by
the musicians of this New York band. The montuno
sound of Cuba and Latin jazz lie at the heart of the
musical experimentation performed by this band
led by the talented Colette Michaan. This American
woman of Egyptian-Syrian extraction developed to
the background of numerous musical influences. By
creating the Querencia band at the end of the 1990s,
her primary concern was to lead her audience into
experiencing strong emotions, have fun and dance.
She is accompanied by highly talented musicians
Edgar Pantoja Aleman, Yunior Terry Cabrera, Aaron
Halva and Jainardo Batista Sterling.
Maalem Hassan Boussou
(Casablanca/Morocco)
Son of the late Maalem
H’mida Boussou, Hassan
Boussou was educated
in compliance with the
principles
of
Gnawa
tradition. In 1996, he created
the Gnawa Fusion band with Belgian musicians.
Soon after setting himself up in France, he met the
future members of the Séwaryé band with whom
he decided to renew the experience of mixing and
fusion. The traditional repertory remains the main
source of inspiration of Maalem Hassan Boussou
but along with the enrichment of Western sonorities.
He regularly performs with the musicians of his late
father, Maalem H’mida Boussou.
Nasser (France)
Psychedelic
is
the
qualification that could
be lent to Marseilles
band Nasser. This highly
inventive name comes
from the electro rock trio of Nico, Simon and Romain.
These children of advertising and video clips play
computers like instruments. After having for a long
time dealt with advertising spots and clips this group
decided to set up a rock band.
At the outset it was for letting off steam afterwards
becoming a full time activity. Nasser has a definite
taste for work well done and has maintained some
excellent reflexes learnt from advertising, a strong
visual identity and a gift for unusual gimmicks
(visual or script) and immediately identifiable sound.
Mobydick (Morocco)
With his real name Younes
Taleb, Mobydick is a Rabat
rapper who rapidly gained
an enviable position in the
world of Moroccan hip
hop. His victory in the rap/
hip hop category of the Tremplin at the L'Boulevard
Festival in 2006 propelled him into a leading stage
position. Mostly influenced by French rap and artists
like Mc Solar or IAM, he never dreamt at that time
that these pieces in Moroccan dialect could ever
have met with so much success. The same year this
artist was an awardee at the Maghrib Music Awards
in the « Best Rap - Hip Hop Artist» category and «
Best title » for "Ma Clique & Moi" played non stop
on Hit Radio. A few months after Toc Toc invaded
the wavelengths and in one throw became one of the
most popular hits of 2007. Mobydick’s compositions
continue to have their imitators. The lyrics, often
using raw language, are incisive and always spread
quickly as is the case for his latest album « L’Moutcho
Family ».
33
Artistic residencies
Artistic residencies
Fareed Ayaz and Abu Mohammad, Issaoua
Maalem Hamid El Kasri and Soweto Kinch quartet
with special guest Eska
Moulay Hassan Square
Borj Bab Marrakech
Spirituality will be at its apex with Qawwali Fareed Ayaz, Abu Mohammad and the Issaoua of Meknes. In addition
to their common shared Islamic faith, the Pakistan Qawwali and the Issaoua also share a passion for Sufi chants
and will play their own music imbued with particularly deep similarities. The result of this artistic residence will
be offered to the public on Friday 22nd June at 09:30 pm, Moulay Hassan Square at the Bab Marrakech Bastion on
Saturday 23rd June at midnight.
Fareed Ayaz and Abu Mohammad (Pakistan)
ssaoua of Meknes (Morocco)
Borj Bab Marrakech
Moulay Hassan Square
Maalem El Kasri is the ambassador of jazz and Gnawa fusion. This piece of news will greatly please American
Soweto Kinch as for him jazz is much more than music. Overflowing with energy Soweto Kinch has no lack of
genius.. His jazz cannot be classified into any category. The Soweto Kinch quartet, Eska, his special guest, Hamid El
Kasri and his guembri all overflow with ingeniousness. They pool their forces and will be exploiting it to the hilt in
making a success of this residency. To be relished on Saturday 23rd June 9:15 pm at Moulay Hassan Square.
Soweto Kinch quartet with special guest Eska
(United Kingdom)
The two brothers Abu Muhammed and Fareed
Ayaz come from a traditional Qawwali family of
Pakistan. Sufi music flows in their veins. Under
the tutelage of their father Munshi Raziuddin, they
learned all the nooks and crannies of this art. Rigor is
the leading feature. Handed down from generation
to generation for over 705 years the music of the
Qawwali is a full-fledged institution in Pakistan.
However, before delving into this tradition, these
brothers learned their trade in classical music under
the watchful supervision of their father. They have
been performing for over thirty years and are
considered top musicians in their country, but not
in Pakistan alone because Abu Muhammed and
Fareed Ayaz have toured many places around the
world. The band works uninterruptedly to promote
Qawwali art.
Through their music the Issaoui confraternities
invoke God. This is how every year they celebrate the
birth of the Prophet with chanting and dancing. The
Issaoua troop has already performed many times at
the Gnawa Festival and in many other manifestations
in Morocco at Fez, Rabat and Tangiers, as well as in
other countries such as France, Belgium and Spain.
Soweto Kinch born on 10th July 1978 in London is a
jazz musician and rapper. The question is, is he Hiphop? Jazz? « Blues rap»? Well, it’s not easy to squeeze
Soweto Kinch into a just one box with a label solidly
affixed. This is simply because this musician mixes all
these genres together being convinced that in the long
run they are all form a single unity. Soweto Kinch
can rap like he breathes into his saxophone recalling
the wonderful hours of Blue Note as well and the
conscious hip-hop of KRS One. This artist deals with
contemporary subjects, money, disks, racism and
exclusion in a powerful style. Soweto Kinch is the
phenomenon from Birmingham in the UK. He will
perform in Essaouira with his Soweto Kinch quartet
along with special guest Eska, the British jazz singer
of Zimbabwean extraction.
Maalem Hamid El Kasri
(Rabat/Morocco)
Hamid El Kasri was born at Ksar El Kebir in 1961 in
northern Morocco. He was trained from the age of
7 by Maalems Alouane and Abdelouahed Stitou but
his passion came from his grandmother’s spouse, a
former Sudanese slave. His talent led him to reconcile
the Gnawa rhythms of the Morocco’s northern and
southern climes. He owes his reputation to his
deep and intense voice. This voice made him one
of the most sought after and appreciated Maalems.
A great and constant participant in the Gnawa and
World Music Festival, in 2004 he was behind a big
event in collaboration with famous Austrian pianist
the late Joe Zawinul by performing one of the most
influential fusions at the Festival. In the 2010 edition
Hamid El Kasri came out with « Yobadi », an album
of fusion music - the result of close collaboration with
Karim Ziad and in 2011 at Essaouira, he charmed the
public at the Bastion with an exceptional concert in
the company of Hamayun Kahn and Shahin Shahida.
35
Fusions
Fusions
Maalem Abdeslam Alikane and Sylvain Luc trio - Organic
Maalem Mustapha Bakbou, Bob Maghrib Musicians
Moulay Hassan Square
Meditel Stage
The great representative of jazz guitar and Maalem Abdeslam Alikane will propose astonishing improvisations. At
this performance on the Moulay Hassan stage on Thursday 21st June at 11:30 pm, no more borders will exist between
the jazz repertory and Gnawa.
Bob Maghrib is the result of a residence by Moroccan musicians. This will not keep them from creating a fusion with
Maalem Mustapha Bakbou in conjunction with a concert at the Gnawa festival on Saturday 23rd June at 09:00 pm
at the beach stage. This constitutes a way of integrating the Gnawa component in this endeavor of research on the
heritage left by legendary Bob Marley.
Sylvain Luc trio – Organic
(France)
Sylvain Luc is a French jazz guitarist born at
Bayonne in 1965. He studied violin and cello at the
conservatoire of his native city along with training
on the classical guitar. He settled in Paris and
became an arranger, composer and accompanist
for several popular performers such as Catherine
Lara, Michel Jonasz, while keeping a hand on jazz
as a bass player for the Richard Galliano trio. In
1993 he became the ambassador of Godin guitars.
He performed alongside Michel Legrand, Francis
Lassus, Richard Bona, Steve Gadd, Biréli Lagrène,
Elvin Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Stéphane Belmondo,
Manu Katché, and Marcus Miller to mention just a
few. Since 2006 he played regularly with the "String
quartet" group next to Didier Lockwood, Victor Bailey
and Billy Cobham. In January 2011 he was awarded
the Django Reinhardt prize by the jazz Academy. He
performed at Essaouira with the Sylvain Luc trio –
Organic, alongside Stephane Huchard on the drums
and Thierry Eliez at the piano.
Maalem Abdeslam Alikane & Tyour Gnawa
(Essaouira/Morocco)
Maalem Mustapha Baqbou (Marrakech/Morocco)
Bob Maghrib Musicians (Morocco)
Gnawa Festival of Essaouira, his native city. Alongside
Karim Ziad, he provided the artistic production and
began to look into the Gnawa of all of Morocco’s
regions. In his work Abdeslam Alikane proved to
be remarkable due to his mastery of therapeutic
practices. Today he is one of the messengers of
Gnawa art throughout the world. Maalem Abdeslam
has performed alongside many world and jazz music
names of renown: Jaleel Shaw in 2008 and Congolese
guitarist and pianist Ray Lema in 2007 to name only
just a few.
Born in 1954 at Marrakech, Mustapha Bakbou grew
up in a Gnawa zaouia where his father, Maalem
El Ayachi Bakbou, introduced him into the art
of tagnaouit from his very early age. Mustapha
Bakbou was a member of the famous Jil Jilala band
and also partook in the folk music movement
in the 1970s. Known for his exceptional fusions
with well-known international artists such as Pat
Metheny, Louis Bertignac, Eric Legnini and French
jazz band Sixun at the Gnawa and World Music
Fesrival, he has also performed on several stages in
America, China and Europe. His performance with
American dance company Step Afrika, one of the
most highly applauded concerts of the 2010 Gnawa
Festival proved the ever renewed talent of this great
Maalem for the promotion of Gnawa art in its most
traditional dimension and capacity to create fusion
with all musical genres. A significant example was
the memorable fusion in 2011 with piano virtuoso
Tigran Hamasyan.
Bob Maghrib is a creative residence joining together
a collective musical group in the current Moroccan
musical scene. Launched in 2011, upon the initiative
of musician Hicham Bajjou and organized by the
EAC-L’Boulvard Association, it consists of a revival
project reinterpreting the most revolutionary and
committed endeavors of Bob Marley. The idea is to
take a new look at the music of this legendary figure
along with Moroccan sonorities and originality in
interpretation. The musical organization requires
the guembri taking the place of the bass and a set
of Moroccan percussions (tbel, tbilates, bendir) in
the place of the drums, the banjo, mandolin, outar
and oud in place of the guitar, the violin, ribab and
guitar, the violin, ribab in the place of the keyboard,
the flute, ghaita in the place of the brass instruments.
Alongside will be Hicham Bajjou, Foulane, Oubiz,
Imad Benaim, Adil Hanine, Anas Chlih, and Mehdi
Nassouli.
37
Fusions
Solo Artists
Maalem Mohamed Kouyou and Mayara Band musicians
Meditel stage
The beach stage will swing to the rhythm of 100% Moroccan sonorities. This will be a concert high in originality
consisting of a fusion between Gnaoua and the music of the new Moroccan stage. The Mayara Band conveys the
Gnaoua spirit in the great majority of their songs. A not-to-be-missed concert on Friday 22nd June at 09:00 pm at the
beach stage.
Maalem Mohamed Kouyou (Marrakech/Morocco)
Mayara Band Musicians (Morocco)
Born in 1957, Maalem Mohamed Kouyou was
initiated to Gnawa art through his mother. After her
passing, Maalem Moulay Hassan took care of his
education. Gifted and passionate, he obtained the title
of Maalem in 1980 in Marrakech. He created his own
band and performs all over Morocco and abroad, for
example one full year in the United States. Maalem
Mohamed Kouyou demonstrated his brilliance at
his improvised performance in 2008 alongside the
American living jazz legend, Wayne Shorter. He
repeated this feat in 2009 at the 12th edition of the
Gnawa and World Music Festival during the artist
residence with the New Orleans band of Donald
Harrison & Congo Nation.
It was in 2006 that two friends, Farid from Agadir
and Ayoub from Casablanca came up with the idea
of starting a Gnawa music band. Very quickly their
passion for world music drove them to creating a
unique band in the form of: Mayara Fusion. The
first compositions of this band without complexes
liberated the sonority of the two founders chunking
together jazz, funk, rai, ragga, dub or flamenco
against Gnawa music. In 2007 the band decided to
compete on the stage of Generation Mawazine and
resoundingly won first prize. One year later this band
pulled off a second success at Tremplin L’Boulevard
finishing the contest with the title of best Fusion
band. With this dual victory to their credit the six
musicians shut themselves up in a studio to record
three titles. At the time of their release in 2009, «Haly
Gnaoui», «3El Mektab» and «3lash» were broadcast
on all Moroccan radio stations thereby lending the
band a gateway to the major local festivals.
Oumou Sangaré (Mali)
Moulay Hassan Square
Born at Bamako in 1968, Oumou Sangaré in his own way initiated a new page
in the recognition of African talent. Since the early 1990s she became one of the
most internationally appreciated Malian female singers. Her album entitled
« Moussolo » broke all sales records. Her discography is rich and her most popular
opus undoubtedly remains « Laban », over 100 000 copies of which were sold
in only 6 months. Since 1990 she has performed on the world’s greatest stages
(Sidney Opera, Central Park, Roskilde Festival, Opera de la Monnaie in Brussels, Queen Elisabeth Hall,
etc.). Oumou Sangaré defends the cause of women across the world. Appointed FAO ambassador in 2003,
she was awarded the UNESCO prize in 2001. Since 1998 she holds the title of Commander of Arts and
Letters of the French Republic. Oumou Sangaré is the Wassoulou diva and won a Grammy Award for
"Best pop music collaboration" in February 2011 in conjunction with the 53rd Awards Ceremony in Los
Angeles. This distinction allowed a new take on "Imagine" by John Lennon on which this singer worked
with pianist Herbie Hancock and performers such as Konono N°1, Jeff Beck, Seal, Pink and India Arie.
Oumou Sangaré returns for the second time to Essaouira. Her first performance goes back to 2003.
Carlou D (Senegal)
Moulay Hassan Square
Born September 13, 1979 in Dakar, Ibrahima Loucard, alias Carlou D entered the
music naturally, almost by obligation. "The passion and obligation in relation to
family circumstances have led me to the music," says the artist in a neutral voice.
Child, Carlou D is watered blues, salsa music, variety ... His passion for notes
led him to leave school. Then he took his first steps on stage alongside Ska Blues.
Then in 2003 he joined the Positive Black Soul, Didier Awadi and Duggy with
Tee. Together they embody the 'Generation Boul Falé "("T’occupes !" en wolof), , which is emulated by
young people. In 2004, Carlou D began his solo career. It's been seven years since Carlou D vibrates the
Senegalese scene of his music remains whose characteristic fusion of acoustic sounds in hip hop style.
Carlou D is now an icon of the hip hop scene in Senegal.
39
Solo Artists
Solo Artists
Maalem Mahmoud Guinea (Morocco)
Meditel stage
Born in 1951 at Essaouira, Mahmoud Guinea is without doubt one of the emblematic
figures of Gnawa music. His background is intimately linked with that of slaves
as his paternal grandfather, of Malian origin, who was sold in the Sahara. His
father, the great master Boubker Guinea handed down this heritage to Mahmoud
Guinea who at the age of 12 already played the guembri and at the age of 20
participated in lilas. In addition to his flawless mastery in the purest of tangaouit
tradition, Mahmoud Guinea also became prominent in musical fusions with legendary musicians like
Carlos Santana, Adam Rudolph, Will Calhoun, Issaka Sow, and Aly Keita and many more. He also
participated in numerous festivals in Spain, France, Italy, Japan, Canada, Austria, Norway, Belgium and
The Netherlands. At the 13th edition of the Gnawa Festival Maalem Mahmoud Guinea offered the public
an exceptional fusion with Mauritanian singer Daby Touré which will remain inscribed in the annals of
the Festival. In 2011, Mahmoud inflamed the public at his concert lasting over three hours.
Hoba Hoba Spirit (Morocco)
Meditel stage
Hoba Hoba Spirit, born at Casablanca in 1998, has become a reference on the
modern-day musical scene. The path taken has been long and enriching since
its participation in the Essaouira Gnawa Festival and at L’Boulevard des Jeunes
Musiciens in the early 2000s. The band is often compared to Mano Negra for its
energetic and colorful performances. In 2009, Hoba Hoba Spirit partook in the
«Festival Arabesque: Arts of the Arab World » at the famous Kennedy Center.
Since its creation the group has come out with 5 albums and performed at some 300 concerts in Morocco
and elsewhere. This band has been able to distinguish itself by a mixture of rock energy, North African
rhythms and often striking lyrics. Their latest album called « Neffs ou Nya » dates from 2011.
Bob Maghrib (Morocco)
Meditel stage
See biography page 37
Joachim Kühn trio, Majid Bekkas, Ramon Lopez & Salé Gnawa (Germany/Morocco/Spain)
Moulay Hassan Square
Leader Joachim Kühn is a German jazz musician born 15th March 1944 at Leipzig
Germany. Joachim Kühn began his career as a concert pianist before looking
increasingly into jazz, under the influence of his older brother, clarinet player Rolf
Kühn. His brother introduced him to John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman whose
aesthetics marked his musical development. Majid Bekkas learned the oud at the Rabat
national music and dance conservatoire and at the same time trained in the culture
of Gnawa confraternities, the specific rhythms and the spirituality of pentatonic
music and traditional instruments under the tutelage of master Ba Houmane. He
also learned the blues and soul music and experienced his first beginnings on the
guitar in 1979. Ramon Lopez is a self-taught drummer and composer of Spanish origin. Since the 1990s he
has offered his talent to the service of jazz, flamenco and Indian music as well as improvisation. However,
it is to jazz that he owes his letters of nobility. Indeed, he is one of the most highly respected artists in
contemporary jazz. On the stage they will be accompanied by a Gnawa troop from Salé. In 2011 the
Joachim Kuhn, Ramon Lopez Majid Bekkas trio came out with the album entitled « Chalaba ».
Mayara Band (Morocco)
Meditel stage
See biography page 38
41
closing concert
Intimist Concerts
Maalem All Star
Maalem Abdenbi El Gadari (Casablanca)
Moulay Hassan Square
One of the highlights of the Festival is always the closing concert or « Maalem All Star ». A get-together
eagerly awaited annually by the festival goes: the Gnawa masters and their respective troops share the
stage at Place Moulay Hassan Square to wind up the Festival in the purest « tagnaouit » tradition focusing
on the essential values of their art, namely, fraternity and sharing.
Maalem Abdenbi was born in Marrakech and currently lives in Casablanca. It was
under the counsel of Maalem Boussou that Abdenbi continued to learn his art.
Later becoming a master in his own right, today he is surrounded by his own Sidi
Moumen bane and works on a regular basis in Italy where he recorded an album.
His style makes reference to his origins, his music recalling tagnaouit traditions of
both Casablanca and Marrakech. After leaving for Europe to disseminate Gnawa
music and a regular guest at the Essaouira Festival, Maalem Abdenbi fused with great international
artists like French guitarist Titi Robin in 2006. In 2009 he created an event by playing alongside Moroccan
DJs Unes and Hak’x in a very electro repertory.
Maalems Omar Hayat, Mustapha Bakbou, Abdelkader Amlil and Said Oughassal
Maalem Omar Hayat (Essaouira/Morocco)
Initiated to Gnawa music by Mahmoud Guinea, in 1991 Maalem Omar Hayat
created his own band. He is one of the new generation masters carrying on with
the Mays tradition particularly featured in stage art. Omar Hayat has his very own
style and is often influenced by diverse artistic tendencies, in particular reggae. He
is a special artist who has managed to gain the loyalty of his public at the Gnawa
and World Music Festival, as well as at other Moroccan and international venues.
Omar Hayat is also a master of fusion. He demonstrated his prowess in 2003 with Franco Vietnamese
guitarist Nguyen Lê, in 2008 with guitarist Mohamed Derouich and trumpet player Ibrahim Maâlouf and
his 2009 performance alongside pianist Meddy Gerville and the percussionists of Réunion band, Lindigo.
His residence with the break dancers of La Halla Kingzoo marked the last edition of the festival.
Borj Bab Marrakech
Maalem Abdelkader Amlil (Rabat)
Dar Souiri
Hailing from Rabat, Maalem Abdelkader Amlil is a singer and musician as well
as master of Gnawa art. Considered to be a virtuoso of the guembri, he performed
alongside great Gnawa masters such as Oulad Abdenbi and H’mida Boussou.
He participated in numerous Moroccan and international events including
the “Winter Sounds” Festival in Paris. At the head of his own band, Maalem
Abdelkader Amlil performs on the guembri with the Majid Bekkas band in Gnawa
blues style. Faithful to the Gnawa and World Music Festival for many years, Abdelkader Amlil has often
participated in acoustic, intimist and traditional concerts in conjunction with lilas or fusions like in 2007
with a percussionists duo from Argentina.
Maalem Allal Soudani (Essaouira)
Zaouia Sidna Bilal
Maâlem Mustapha Baqbou
See biography page 37
Maâlem Abdelkader Amlil
See biography page 43
Maâlem Saïd Oughassal
See biography page 31
Allal Soudani descends from a long line of Gnawa, through his grandparents,
Sudanese slaves in Essaouira. In spite of a reticent father, he began to learn Gnawa
art and became a master at the age of 18. Allal Soudani eventually absorbed the
rigorous and methodic lessons administered by his father later allowing him to
follow other masters such as Boubker Guinea, Ahmed Al Haddad and Belkheir.
His nostalgia for traditional practice of tagnaouit constituted a reference in his
own right in Morocco and as a regular performer at the Gnawa and World Music Festival. Every year
since the third edition in 2000, he rejoins his faithful public amateur of lilas for an acoustic concert where
purity and tradition in the spotlight.
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Concerts intimistes
Maalem Abdelouahed Stitou (Tanger)
Dar Souiri
Born in Tangier, Maalem Stitou became a Gnawa master in the capital of Morocco’s
North. Known for his typical lilas
Known for his typical lilas or « Lilas chamalia » he expects to perform at Essaouira,
Stitou plays a rich repertory mixing Issaoua and Hmadcha and sings in the
Tangiers Gnawa manner. Stitou performed with Randy Weston in the 1990s and
has performed in many editions of the Essaouira Gnawa and World Music Festival.
Maâlem Saïd El Bourki (Essaouira)
Zaouia Sidna Bilal
Born in 1956 at Essaouira, Said El Bourki grew up in a family where Gnawa
music predominated. Like his older brother, Said developed a passion for this
music and at a very early age together they performed at the musical rituals and
rites of the Gnawa confraternity. Said became a master of the guembri traveling
throughout the different regions of Morocco to meet with other Maalems. He is
one of Essaouira’s most famous Gnawa musicians and is familiar with the entire
Gnawa repertory which he plays in its purest form. Said El Bourki has already gone on many tours abroad
and for the fifth time in a row is participating in the Essaouira Festival.
Maalem Mahjoub Khalmouss (Marrakech)
Zaouia Sidna Bilal
Born in 1947 at Marrakech, Maalem Mahjoub Khalmouss is a Gnawa master of
great renown. He was introduced to Gnawa music from the earliest age growing
up in the district where many descendants of former black slaves lived. Faithful to
Gnawa musical tradition Maalem Mahjoub Khalmouss has many admirers in the
ochre-colored city and well beyond. He has performed on many stages in Morocco
and displayed his great talent and artistic intelligence by easily adapting to fusion
music.
Maalem Mokhtar Guinea (Essaouira)
Dar Souiri
Maalem Mokhtar Guinea, the brother of Mahmoud and son of the great Maalem
Boubker, an emblematic figure of Gnawa music, is one of the front running Gnawa
musicians. His father and mother handed down the sensitivity of tagnaouit
acquired from Ba Massoud, Mokhtar’s maternal grandfather. Proud of his origins
and well aware of the heritage he carries, he created his own band just a few years
ago and performs all over the world.
Concerts intimistes
Maalem Saïd Tahlaoui (Safi)
Zaouia Sidna Bilal
Hailing from Safi, Maalem Said Tahlaoui was trained in Safi by Maalem Razouk.
He later criss crossed Morocco to meet the great masters of tagnaouit throughout
the entire Kingdom. Among others he was trained by Mahmoud Guinea of
Essaouira. Returning to Safi he created his own band and has performed both in
Morocco and internationally.
Maalem Rachid Fadli Ladhass (Rabat)
Zaouia Sidna Bilal
Maalem Ladhass, also known under the name of Rachid Fadli was born in 1969 in
Salé. Musician and leader of the Jil Gnawa band, Maalem Ladhass learned Gnawa
art with great masters Haj Zitoune Al Mahjoub and Haj Labsir Al Ayachi. He has
performed in several festivals in Morocco such as the Sacred Music Festival in Fez
and internationally in Greece, France and in the United Arab Emirates.
Maalem Mohamed Lebbat (Marrakech)
Zaouia Sidna Bilal
Born at Marrakech in 1960, he was only 10 when he entered into his first contact
with Gnawa art. The child was blown over by this music and spared no time in
letting it become his passion. At the age of 18 he joined forces with great Maalem
Sam who he accompanied as far away as France in conjunction with the Gnawa
art festivals later allowing him to perform alongside great masters like Ahmed
Bakbou, H’mida Boussou, Hassan Ould Souiria among others.
Issaoua of Essaouira
Dar Souiri
The Issaoua confraternity is among the principal religious confraternities in Morocco. Hailing from the
Sufi tradition the Issaoua confraternity through its music speaks of God seeking His help. This is how
every year it celebrates the birth of the Prophet with chants and dancing emanating from an ancestral
ritual. The Issaoua group springs from Essaouira and has already performed several times at the Gnawa
Festival.
45
Gnawa anthology
C
reated in 2009, the purpose of the Yerma Gnawa Association is the conservation and development
of the immaterial heritage of the Gnawa confraternity. The Yerma Gnawa Association endeavors to
promote Gnawa culture in Morocco and throughout the world and ensure the continuation of its
traditions.
Via the celebratory procession in the city streets or the lila ritual where the musico-therapeutic slant, for
centuries the Gnawa have invested the imagination of the Moroccan people. They are evocative of this SubSaharan heritage to the insistent backdrop of fascinating rhythms and inebriating chants.
The Essaouira Gnawa and World Music Festival for fifteen years has partaken in the instigation of a new
awareness lending both the artists and tagnaouit a new dynamic conducive of reflection and action centering
on an important portion of Morocco’s musical and symbolic heritage.
The preservation of this precious cultural heritage enabling future generations to partake in Gnawa rituals
via the moussems, the spiritual lilas and other traditional events will require one key element, i.e. the retranscription of the lyrics of Gnawa musical repertory.
Well beyond musical, rhythmic and choreographic resources, this involves our comprehensive relationship
with regard to the deep seated history of Africa.
The Gnawa anthology entails the audio recording of the whole Gnawa repertory while respecting regional
traditions and integrating the complete circumstances (procession, entertaining and esoteric phases).
Further, a normative effort will make it possible to encapsulate the Gnawa tradition in its all-encompassing
splendor by specifying the common structural bases, the nuances of regional alternatives, as well as the
standards for the musicians’ accession to the rank of master (Maalem).
This effort goes well beyond simple documentary and patrimonial considerations while integrating therein
genuinely creative visions. It is obvious that from a practical standpoint this will make it possible to compile
a treasure trove in terms of reference and resources (rhythmic, melodic and stylistic) for all music and
thereby world music in general.
An initial prospecting phase was carried out for determining in collaboration with great Gnawa masters
(in Tetouan, Tangier, Asilah, Fez, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech and Essaouira) the respective content of
the complete cycle of Gnawa songs according to the processes underway within each regional trend. An
analytical phase made it possible to subsequently point out the median repertories likely to win over the
community of Gnawa masters and the regional variants whose necessity is well established. This phase was
followed by recordings and complete re-transcription of the Gnawa work.
This anthology will consist of ten audio CDs and a booklet with the lyrics, as well as a complete study of the
historical, sociological and symbolic environment of the this repertoire.
47
Festival Passes
The “4 days pass” costing 500 Dirhams gives access to room in front of the stage at the two major Festival
venues (Moulay Hassan Square and the Meditel stage) for the entire duration of the event.
The “1 day pass” gives access to the stage front space at the two major venues (Moulay Hassan Square and
the Meditel stage) for one evening.
Thursday 21st June and Sunday 24th June: 100 Dirhams per evening
Friday 22nd June: 200 Dirhams
Saturday 23th June: 250 Dirhams
our partners
Producteur Organisateur
Once again this year the Festival has a 4 days offer and 1 day pass in limited number for the major stages
and tickets for the intimist concerts.
In partnership with
Royaume du Maroc
Ministère de la Culture
Sponsors
FOUNDING
SPONSOR
OFFICIAL SPONSOR
OFFICIAL DRINK
Official Media Partners
Partners
These passes are on sale at the official Festival boutique at El Minzah Square from 20 to 24 June 2012, as well
as on our website at www.festival-Gnawa.net starting early May 2012.
Intimist concert tickets
Zaouia Sidna Bilal: 100 Dirhams / evening
Dar Souri: 100 Dirhams / evening
Bastion Bab Marrakech:
Concert at 08:30 pm: 100 Dirhams / concert
Concert at midnight: 200 Dirhams / concert
Media Partners
These tickets will be on sale at the official Festival boutique, El Minzah Square from 20 to 24 June 2012, as
well as at the intimist concert sites. Tickets for the Bastion concerts will also be on sale on our Internet site
www.festival-Gnawa.net in early May 2012.
Le festival Gnaoua et Musiques du Monde d’Essaouira est membre de :
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Contacts
Press Contact : Agence A3 Communication
Director of media and press relations
Karima Hachimi : [email protected]
National press agent
Khadija Smiri : [email protected]
Phone : (+212) 5 22 27 26 03/04 - Fax : (+212) 5 22 22 52 87
www.festival-Gnawa.net