Mourad Bachkou

Mourad Bachkou is a Moroccan musician born in Agadir who has extensive knowledge of the rhythms and musical styles of his rich region. He’s a guembri master (the quintessential instrument of gnaoua music, ancestor of the double bass), talotart player (a traditional instrument of Ismgan music from the Souss region in mid-Southern Morocco) and percussionist. The warm timbre of his voice adds special hearty colours to his music.

Mourad is also a music teacher who organises masterclasses to introduce people to gnaoua music, its ancient history and rituals. He passionately tries to preserve the Moroccan national heritage and folklore by participating in ceremonies and festivals in his country and abroad. In 2018, he founded the Mourad Bachkou Gnaoua Band, as an effort to present the national heritage in a distinct manner and spread it all over the world.