Maalem Abdelkébir Merchane is considered to be among the purest voices in Gnawa.  The Gnawis are first and foremost a Sufi order believed to have the power to heal wounds and psychic disorders through night long  musical trances induced by the invocation of saints, spirits and angels. These healing sessions, called Lila are led by the Maalem who sings and chants over incessant metal castagnettes (Karakeb) while playing a string instrument called the hajhouj (or guembri).

Yusef Lateef is a virtuoso on almost any reed instrument and is most renowned for his tenor saxophone, flute and oboe. A jazz titan, Lateef refers to his music as an African American tradition of autophysiopsychic music: that which comes from one’s spiritual, physical and emotional self.

Maalem Abdelkébir Merchane and Yusef Lateef will dialogue and converse over the ferocious percussive drive of the Gnawa master musicians in Merchane’s troupe. Both legends will also address the audience on a highly spiritual level, which will enrapture and transport.

by Haig Aivazian,  Associate Curator