ABOUT

Saha Gnawa is a unique and organic joining of Moroccan Gnawa Trance music and NYs finest groove players and improvisers featuring Maalem Hassan Ben Jaafer, a true Maalem (master of Gnawa music and culture). He is the son of the esteemed Maalem Abdullah Benjaafar of Fes, Morocco. As a youth he travelled throughout Morocco, living, studying and performing with Maalems in every region. As a Maalem he conducted all night trance healing ceremonies called lilas.He is the leader of the NY based, Grammy nominated band Innov Gnawa.

Joining the Maalem are keyboardist Jason Lindner (David Bowie, Meshell Ndegeocello), drummer and instigator Daniel Freedman (David Byrne, Angeliqué Kidjo), guitarist Guilherme Monteiro (Gal Costa, Bebel Gilberto), guitar hero Gilad Hekselman as well as Gnawa Koyos (singers and qraqeb players) Amino Belyamani and David Lizmi. Saha Gnawa's upcoming recording features guests Donny McCaslin (David Bowie) and master percussionists Roman Diaz and Gustavo Di Dalva.