20080429-Conakry
20080610-Yamoussoukrowww.thisfabtrek.com > journey > africa > morocco > 20060622-essaouira
On our journey back down south ...
... to Bamako, Mali we are in Morocco. Time is on our side, the Festival de Gnaoua et du musique du monde 2006, its 9th edition is about to being staged in Essaouira. Not far away from where Hasnas' large family live.
Essaouira is full of memories - as we have spent a wonderful time here last year just a month after Hasna and I had met.
Last year I made a bit of an effort describing the 2005 festival, the musicians, the instruments and the so wanted fusion thing.
As wannabe photographer then I was stuck with the crowed, with the crazy, the thieves, the faux-guides, and all those who had just come to listen to some of the best World music.
But with the experience gathered from the Mali festivals in Segou and Essakane confidence now is on my side. I step into the press office in Essaouira and demand my badge as a photographer.
And it is quite something taking pictures here - just in front of the stage - only a few metres away from the musique that I fell in love with.
Maâlem Hassan Boussou (Casablanca).
The young are taking over.
Just I don't know why jazzers, foremost the best of the world always hide. Like Michel, sits in front of his mate's drums. Oh yeah, Scott Kinsey (USA / Piano), plays/played with Sting, I rarely get a glimpse of him. This is like an also runs ... / hides behind his piano ...
But the opening act is absolutely fabulous. This is quality stuff, the fusion I have been hoping for is happening, wow! swinging, storming, rocking - all, especially once the Malian balafon joins in ... listened to Gnaoua music for a year, now this is real, mind blowing.
Very promising what may lie ahead these next 4 days
But where is Scott Who ?????????
P.S. 2006/10: Scott Kinsey was of course great. There is a little excerpt on his myspace page of the opening concert. "That's a groove!!!"
Maâlem H'mida Boussou.
Interesting page, describing the Gnaoua movement since the times of slavery and H'mida's carreer in particular.
Stefano Di Battista.
The late night jazz act. Happy to be here! And he explains what might happen (Italiano) "when we mix with the Gnaoua".
GnaouaS Craze.
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