JISR & Guests: From Casablanca to New Orleans

JISR & Guests present a concert programme that explores the multicultural history of American genres, such as blues, swing and jazz, as well as Afro-oriental musical traditions of North and West Africa, especially Gnawa music, in a unique showcase of the elements that connect these different styles.
JISR & Guests present a concert programme that explores the multicultural history of American genres, such as blues, swing and jazz, as well as Afro-oriental musical traditions of North and West Africa, especially Gnawa music, in a unique showcase of the elements that connect these different styles.
Jisr’s new project portrays the common origins of North American musical traditions and the music of North and West Africa. The Gnawa – descendants of black slaves from the medieval empire of Ghana/Wagadu (present-day Mali) who live in Morocco and other North African countries – are the keepers of a centuries-old tradition. Their music is characterised by primal grooves, soulful vocals and polyrhythmic structures. Just like jazz, blues and swing, the music of the Gnawa emerged in a context of social transformation and transcends both cultural and geographical boundaries.
The interplay of these musical traditions and the polyrhythm of Gnawa music provide a varied foundation for improvisation. Building on this tradition between the music of African and American slaves, Jisr creates a new musical aesthetic that immerses the audience in their shared history.
For this project, Jisr has put together a line-up that harmonises the two genres with an authentic musical repertoire and takes them back to their origins. This combination creates a bridge between tradition and modernity and emphasises the cultural relationships between these musical styles to good effect. The ensemble’s guests include the exceptional New York vibraphonist Tim Collins and the award-winning saxophonist Johannes Enders.
Line-up
- Johannes Enders, saxophone
- Guido May, drums
- Gergely Lukács, trumpet
- Vlad Cojocaru, accordion
- Mohcine Ramdan, sintir and vocals
- Tim Collins, vibraphone
- Andy Kurz, bass
With the kind support of the Department of Arts and Culture of the City of Munich
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