Majid Bekkas

Majid Bekkas is a Moroccan musician whose work seamlessly weaves together the rich threads of Gnawa music with varying styles such as jazz, blues, and soul. Born in Salé, Morocco, he began his musical journey with traditional Maghreb sounds but quickly found his calling in the Gnawa tradition, which has its roots in West African spiritual and healing ceremonies. Bekkas studied at the National Conservatory of Music and Dance in Rabat, which allowed him to deepen his understanding of music theory and broaden his musical palette.

Bekkas has become well-regarded for his skillful playing of the guembri (also known as the sintir), a three-stringed bass lute that is central to Gnawa music. Over the years, Majid Bekkas has earned international acclaim for his collaborations and fusion projects, exemplified by his releases such as "Magic Spirit Quartet," where he fuses Gnawa grooves with global jazz elements, and "Al Qantara," which symbolizes a bridge between cultures and sounds. His album "Voodoo Sense" further pushes the boundaries, introducing elements of free jazz and avant-garde. Bekkas's ability to transcend genres has not only made him a prominent figure in world music but has also contributed to the global appreciation of Gnawa music as a dynamic and evolving art form.

Genres

Gnawa

Related Artists

Tinariwen

Fatoumata Diawara

Omar Sosa

Ali Farka Touré

Rachid Taha

Richard Bona

Bombino

Cheikh Lô

Khruangbin

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan

Salif Keita

Ibrahim Maalouf

Latest Release

Jazz at Berlin Philharmonic XVII: Gnawa World Blues

Majid Bekkas•

Nguyên Lê

Album - 7 Tracks - Released June 27, 2025