MAÂLEM KHALID IZOUBAZ

Born in 1987 in Essaouira, since the 2000s Maâlem Khalid Izoubaz has trained alongside great figures of the world of Gnaoua, including the Guinea and Soulaïmani families and Maâlem Omar ‎Hayat, as well as the Gnaoua and World Music Festival in Essaouira’s artistic director, Abdeslam ‎Alikkane. He soon developed a personal style, inspired by his collaborations with established Moroccan artists and international musicians like Jbara. He has been present at all editions of the Gnaoua and World Music Festival in Essaouira and has also participated in the Festival des Jeunes Talents Gnaoua in 2005, 2006, and 2008. He has taken his art to stages around the world, notably in Brazil, the Netherlands, Kuwait, Qatar, Portugal, and Algeria. He always strives to raise awareness of the art of Gnaoua, its dances and performances.