MAÂLEM SAID BOULHIMAS

Born in Mogador, a city where the sounds of the guembri echo through every alley, Saïd Boulhimas discovered the Gnaoua world at an early age. At the age of 8, he entered the workshop of Maâlem Seddik Laarch for the first time, drawn by the wood, the material and the craft. There, he first learned to carve instruments before playing them. It was in this environment, among strings and drums, that Gnaoua became a defining presence in his life. He emerged both as a luthier and a musician. Later, he came under the guidance of Maâlem Abdellah Gania, extending this teaching with an openness to the wider musical world. He embodies a generation of artists deeply rooted in tradition while remaining receptive to other musical languages. In 2003, he made a strong impression at the Gnaoua and World Music Festival of Essaouira in a memorable fusion with Jbara and Les Mouettes. He then joined the Band of Gnawa project initiated by Loy Ehrlich, who praised his fluid and inventive virtuosity. Winner of the Festival of Young Talents in 2006, Saïd Boulhimas stands out for his ability to carry the spirit of Gnaoua into new forms without ever betraying its essence.