Rabita Andalousa Rabita Andalousa is a vocal and instrumental ensemble composed by masters musicians from the Conservatories of Larache and Tetouan. The musical ensemble with a set reduced at his gist and the emphasis given to the rhythmical section, originate from the teaching of Haj `Abdelkrim Raïss, pupil of Mohammed El Brihi, one of the great masters of the century. Close to the classic arab-andalusian repertory (Nuba and Gharnati) the members of Rabita Andalousa execute, with the instruments of the local folklore, also the popular repertory (Taqtouqa Jebeliya and Cha`abi ) from the musical tradition of their region (Jebala, the western side of Rif mountain), who includes the cities of Chechaouen and Ksar El Kebir.

Rabita Andalousa played in Spain, France, Italy, Belgium, Holland, performing at Sevilla Expo 1992, at Festival de la Méditerranée, at Maison de la Musique of Nanterre, at Festival díAutunno of Roma, at Suoni dal Mondo of Bologna.

Rabita Andalousa has published a CD c/o Al Sur/Media7 (ALCD 174, Nanterre 1997).

Artistic Biography

Ahmed Taoud (voice and viola, director of the ensemble): cadet brother of Mohammed Taoud, director of the National Orchestra of Rabat, heís master of the sana`a arab-andalousian at the Conservatory of Music of Larache. He worked many times with Absadek Chekara and he played in the Michael Nymanís Arab Andalousian Orchestra.

Jelloul Majidi (voice and qanun): master of the qanun at the Conservatories of Music of Larache and Tetouan, he played with Absadek Chekara and the Michael Nymanís Arab Andalousian Orchestra.

Abdeslam Seddiki (voice and derbuka): member of the National Orchestra of Rabat directed by Moulay Ahmed Laoukiri, heís one of the deans of the moroccan musical tradition.

Mohammed Amin Akrami (voice, violin, lute): graduate at the Conservatory of Music of Larache, he study in Tétouan with Mohammed Larbi Tensamani, who at present replace as director of the Tétouan Wilaya Orchestra. Heís master of tarab el andalous at the Conservatory of Tétouan.

Mohammed Ghani (voice, rebab, ganbri, suissan): heís master of percussion at the Conservatory of Larache.

`Adil Amrani (voice/munchid and tarr): graduate at the Conservatory of Larache with Ahmed Taoud, he received the Ministère de la Jeunesse Award as the best young munchid.

Disposition on the stage: the six musicians seat, from left to right, in front at the public 1) Seddiki (voice and derbuka); 2) Amrani (voice and tarr); 3) Taoud (voice and viola); 4) Ghani (voice, rebab, suissan, ganbri); 5) El Akroumi (voice, violin, lute); 6) Majidi (voice and qanun).

Technical requirements:

stage with 6 chairs and a keyboard-stand for the qanun; 6 microphones type Shure SM58 for the voices and 7 microphones for the instruments (two for the derbuka); 4/6 monitors; sound-check and lights 2 hours before the show; catering in the dressing-room.

e-mail: sidimimoun@gnawa.net