Essaouira's Gnaoua Music Festival

If you have never visited the Moroccan city of Essaouira, well here is all the excuse you will ever need. A Gnaoua festival! Musicians from around globe will congregate at the 9th Gnaoua and World Music Festival between June 22 and 25.

The beautiful seaside town of Essaouira will be exploding with the sound of music from the four corners of the world - a real feast as the Gnaoua Maalems' Guembris and crotales echo in symbiosis with Jazz, Rock and other universal musical rhythms.

Fifteen Gnaoua maâlems will take turn on the scene, including the very known Mahmoud Guinea, Hamid El Kasri, Omar Hayat, Mustapha Bakbou and Abderrahim Benthami. These big names will share the scene with emerging stars, such as Hassan Boussou and Hicham Merchane.

Music lovers will be treated to world artists such as guitarist Pat Metheny, who fuses world music, techno, heavy metal and Flamenco. Also in attendance will be quartet of Italian saxophonist Stefano Di Battista and the American pianist Scott Kinsey, adept of electric jazz.

For world music aficionados the mysterious world of Pakistani Qawwali will be explored through the brilliance of brothers Mehr and Sher Ali - and their ten singers. Other names signed up are Guinean magician kora Ba Cissoko, Malian jazzy Ali Keita, Brazilian percussionists Luis Conte and Zé Luis Nascimiento and Algerian Gâada Diwane of Bechar.

Photo Credit P.E. Rastoin

Here is what the festival director, Neila Tazi, has to say:

How to describe the energy and motivation we find each year to put on the Essaouira Gnawa and World Music Festival? From all over the world come musicians and the public, eager to join in this unique celebration.

We are driven by our passion for music and genuine encounters, our desire to preserve some innocence and dreams in a harsh world. For four days we create a world with values we believe in: simplicity and the basic things in life.

Artists have a gift for reminding us that being kind, taking the time to listen to others and loving one another are at the very heart of our lives. Songs urging us to stop creating discord and helping those in need are sending us messages of wisdom and peace.

For more information: ESSAOUIRA GNAOUA FESTIVAL


Tags: Morocco Fes, Maghreb news