MAÂLEM KHALID IZOUBAZ

Born in 1987 in Essaouira, Maâlem Khalid Izoubaz is a Gnaoua musician trained from the early 2000s alongside leading figures of the tradition, including the Guinea and Soulaïmani families, as well as Maâlems Omar Hayat and Abdeslam Alikkane, artistic director of the Gnaoua and World Music Festival of Essaouira. He quickly developed a personal style, shaped by collaborations with renowned Moroccan artists and international musicians, including Jbara. Present at every edition of the Gnaoua Festival of Essaouira, he also participated in the Festival of Young Gnaoua Talents in 2005, 2006 and 2008, steadily establishing his place on the Gnaoua scene. His career has led him to perform on numerous international stages, notably in Brazil, the Netherlands, Kuwait, Qatar, Portugal and Algeria. Through his performances, Maâlem Khalid Izoubaz works tirelessly to promote Gnaoua art, its dances and its performative expressions.