Master gnawa player Majid Bekkas has recorded two albums since signing with the European label Igloo Mondo. Bekkas was born and still lives in Salé, Morocco. He learnt Gnawa music through the teachings of the master Ba Houmane. Gnawa appeared in the 16th century. During the conquest of Sudan, Ahmed El Mansour Dahbi set up the first trading and cultural links between Timbuktu, near Zagora where Bekkas comes from, and Marrakech.

This secular music is still considered the "healer of souls" from Essaouira to Marrakech, easily understandable when you listen to the spellbinding sound of Bekkas´ voice, guembri and guitar. Like a watermark, the mystery of Africa can be felt in the backround, alongside the blues. Gnawa´s intact purity is the essence of the authenticity.

By claiming to be part of Africa, the mother of the blues and its numerous offspring such as funk, Bekkas is placing Gnawa in its primary dimension. By opening the spectrum (including elements of contemporary western music), he attains a universal status nurtured by the path he travelled. These include: jazz, alongside pioneers such as Peter Brötzmann, Archie Shepp, Flavio Boltro, Louis Sclavis.

Bekkas represented Morocco on the award-winning CD compilation "Desert Blues 2". He performs at several international festivals, such as WOMEX Sevilla 2003, Gaume Jazz Festival, Huyart Festival, Grenoble Jazz Festival, Festival de Essaouira, ...

His music can now be found on iTunes - direct link: http://www.urlshort.us/?u=04fbc14c

For more details about tour dates, see http://www.orientaljazz.com/INDEX.E.htm