GNAWA STREET BAND

Gnawa Street Band is composed by Gnawa musicians living in France and Europe.

It’s a traditional Gnawa music ensemble dedicated to preserving and promoting the rich spiritual heritage of Gnawa culture. Rooted in centuries-old Moroccan traditions, the group conveys the powerful rhythms, hypnotic songs, and deeply spiritual energy unique to this ancestral art form.

The group is led by Maâlem (Gnawa Master) Jaouad El Garrouge, renowned for his talent, authenticity, passion, and cultural commitment. A master of the guembri (three-stringed bass lute) and possessor of a vast traditional repertoire, he guides the ensemble with great musical sensitivity and a deep knowledge of Gnawa rituals.

The group’s performances feature traditional instruments such as the tbal, qraqeb (metal castanets), and call-and-response singing. Each concert becomes an immersive experience, evoking the spirit of Gnawa ceremonies—between trance, rhythm, and devotion—while appealing to contemporary audiences thanks to a dynamic stage presence and infectious energy.

Beyond his work with Gnawa Street Band, Jaouad El Garrouge has also developed rich artistic collaborations that reflect his international and contemporary outlook and that of Gnawa music. He is one of the founders of the groups Global Gnawa, Gnawa Youmala, and Alright Mela, was a pillar during the formation of Al Qasar, and has led numerous recording and stage collaborations (Nuru Kane, Acid Arab, etc.), contributing to projects that blend different styles. These collaborations illustrate his ability to create a dialogue between tradition and modern aesthetics, while respecting the spiritual and rhythmic essence of the Gnawa repertoire.

Gnawa Street Band is thus much more than a musical group: it is a living expression of Morocco’s cultural heritage, bringing the soul of Gnawa music from the streets to festivals and international stages. Gnawa Street Band is thus much more than a musical group: it is a living expression of Morocco’s cultural heritage, bringing the soul of Gnawa music from the streets to festivals and international stages.

Gnawa music is a musical and spiritual tradition that stems from the heritage of the peoples of sub-Saharan Africa (particularly Mali, Senegal, and Sudan) who arrived in the Maghreb over the centuries.

It is at once a musical art, a spiritual practice, and a historical heritage, where rhythm, trance, and African memory come together and now interact with jazz, reggae, rock, and electronic music, while retaining its spiritual dimension.