MAÂLEM AHMED BAQBOU

Like other great families, Maâlem Ahmed Baqbou belongs to those dynasties that have profoundly shaped the world of Tagnaouite. The Baqbou family long dominated the Marrakech scene, leaving a lasting imprint on the history of this art. His uncle Boujemâa devoted himself entirely to the Gnaoua practice, sharing this passion with his brother Ayachi, who in turn passed it on, almost as a calling, to Mustapha Baqbou and his brother Ahmed. Maâlem Ahmed Baqbou trained under major figures of the tradition, including Ba Ahmed Sassa, El Hachimi Ould Mama, Homan Ould El Ataar, Si Mohamed Ould El Fernatchi, among others. During his participation in the 2008 edition of the Gnaoua and World Music Festival of Essaouira, he left a lasting impression by delivering, during a lila at the Zaouia Sidna Bilal, a performance of rare intensity, faithful to the purest Gnaoua tradition and deeply etched in the memory of music lovers.