MAÂLEM ABDERRAHIM OUGHESSAL

Abderrahim Benthami Oughessal was born in 1956 in Casablanca to a traditional Gnaoua family. As the son of Maâlem Abdelkader Oughessal, he learned very early on to play the guembri and practice the rituals with his father, in the strictest interpretation of the Tagnaouite. He continued to learn from major figures such as Abderrahman Paco and H’mida Boussou, whose influence would mark his own style. Known for his perfect mastery of the Marsaoui, he incarnates a generation of maâlems who carry forward their heritage while remaining open to new influences. Alongside Hicham Merchane, son of Maâlem Abdelkebir Merchane, he actively practices the transmission of this art form with discipline and creativity. He is an old hand at fusion, and has distinguished himself in memorable collaborations, notably with American percussionist Andy Narell and the multi-instrumentist Abdenour Djemaï, building bridges between Gnaoua and other musical traditions