MAÂLEM Abdelkader Amlil

Originally from Rabat, Abdelkader Amlil is among the most respected guembri masters of his generation. Heir to a living Gnaoua tradition, he trained under leading figures of the genre such as Oulad Abdenbi and H’mida Boussou, with whom he shared the stage for many years. His playing, both precise, deep and expressive, has earned him invitations to numerous events in Morocco and internationally, including the Sons d’hiver festival in Paris. Leading his own group, he also explores the connections between Gnaoua music and blues, notably through collaborations with Majid Bekkas. A regular presence at the Gnaoua and World Music Festival of Essaouira, he performs there frequently, both in the intimacy of acoustic lila ceremonies and in more contemporary fusion settings. A deeply rooted and discreet musician, Abdelkader Amlil nonetheless delivers a voice and guembri playing marked by remarkable precision and intensity.