Event

Nicknamed “the bluesman of Morocco”, Majid Bekkas is originally from Zagora, a small town in the south of Morocco.

Majid was born and still lives in Salé near Rabat (Morocco). He has his roots in the North African music and a long experience in blues and jazz which makes him a unique musician who masters both traditional and modern music.

Majid embarked on his musical career in 1972 playing banjo in Moroccan local groups. Over the years, the master Ba Houmane, in Salé, initiated him into Gnawa (or Gnaoua) music. Then he studied classical guitar and oud at the National Conservatory of Music and Dance in Rabat where he later taught classical guitar.

In the 80’s, he discovered the blues and African music by listening to John Lee Hooker, Aly Farka Toure, Fela Kuti and Salif keita. In the meantime, Majid was delving deeper in the Blues and Soul, playing in his own group as a guitarist, keyboard player and singer.

In the nineties, he created the Gnaoua Blues Band, splitting his time between compositions, recordings and touring.

In 2001, his record « African Gnaoua Blues » became a real reference in Gnaoua music and its relationship with the blues.

In 2003, he met the well-known German pianist Joachim Kuhn and the Spanish drummer Ramon Lopez. Together, they formed a great trio, recorded 5 albums for « Act music » in Germany and performed in a lot of jazz and world music festivals for more than 15 years.

In 2006, Majid decided to tour and to record an album (Passeport to Morocco) with the famous German saxophonist Klaus Doldinguer. Majid also played with Archie Shepp and Pharoah Sanders to name a few.

His record « Makenba »in 2010 with Louis Sclavis, Minino Garay and Aly Keita was selected by « Songlines »magazine, as the best Album Gnaoua fusion.

In 2012, he performed for the first time in the US as part of the Caravanseraï program which is a groundbreaking cultural exchange program produced by Arts Midwest on behalf of its fellow U.S. Regional Arts Organizations.

In 2015, Majid received the price of the « Academy Charles Cros » in Marseille (France) for his album « Al qantara » and in 2018, the « Visa for Music Award» in Rabat, Morocco, for his career achievements.

Majid is also co-artistic director of « Jazz au Chellah » Festival in Rabat since 1996 and Artistic Director of Jazz sous l’ Arganier in Essaouira.

He recorded and released about 20 albums with different musicians and bands
 

Notes on Seating: The Jack London provides two options for ticket purchasers: Reserved Seating and General Admission. Reserved Seating is purchased on a table-by-table basis in the central part of the venue and is only available for select shows. Both Tables AND General Admission seating is limited on a first come first serve basis