04/09/09 Brazilian quartet in Timitar Festival, Morocco

Ensaio-19

The Brazilian ensemble formed by the pianist Benjamim Taubkin, the percussionist Ari Colares, the bassist João Taubkin and the accordionist Lula Alencar, traveled in the end of July to Morocco to perform at Timitar Festival, on the 1st July, in Agadir.

The quartet arrived a few days before at the festival to rehearse with four Moroccan musicians. Their names were suggested by Brahim El Mazned, the festival’s director, to promote this meeting with the Brazilian music. Each one came from a different area of the country: Hussein (percussion) and Ferid (Oud) are Berbers, the first inhabitants of Morocco; the young Mehdi (voice and gumbri), is Gnawa, who descended from Sub-Saharan Africa; and Hashid (Ney), is Arabic that derived from the people who arrived in Morocco in the VII century.

Thus, the intention of promoting an encounter was beyond of Morocco and Brazil, when also different areas and cultures of Morocco were meeting. So, the adventure for all of them – Brazilians and Moroccans – was truly deep and inspirational.

Despite the differences of musical language, the two groups got along really well and started to understand more about each culture and to discover some similarities in their music. Part of the experience was enhanced through the time they spent together.

The young and highly talented Mehdi, a kind of future pop star because of his simple charisma and charm, invited them to know his village located 45 minutes from Agadir; and also with the constant company of Ferid – a very luminous person who divides his time between music and medicine working in a hospital – was so kind to take them to the local market, and to a beautiful beach of Morocco, where they could see for the first time the other side of the Atlantic.

Or even understanding a bit more all of this through the polite and talented Hashid with his Ney (flute) that plays every evening to a Prince who spends holidays in his castle in Agadir, and always claims for a good music. And, last but not least, seeing Hussein’s pictures playing percussion or drums with his groups. Hussein is doubtless a great musician dedicated unconditionally to music. This entire atmosphere was a unique experience to feel a bit more of their culture.

The concert was beautiful and very much appreciated by the audience. Watch here one of the themes recorded live.

For the eight musicians it was a journey very intense in which they truly believe will still reverberate beyond their hearts. Hopefully, they will at some point perform again together or maybe do a record. Let’s wait for it.

Photos