The cultural institution will host from May 20^th to 28^th, a very high-quality lineup

Rabat, April 7^th, 2016 – Continuing its initiative in favor of a stunning-quality lineup, the 15^th edition of Mawazine Festival Rhythms of the World will offer this year the unprecedented presence of world-known artists whose performances will be applauded by the Moroccan public in the intimate setting of the Mohammed V National Theatre. As is tradition, the institution’s stage will welcome musical figures from across the globe.

Kadim Al Sahir will first be honored on Friday May 20^th for an opening concert promising to be memorable. Originally from Mosul, Iraq, Kadim Al Sahir is the greatest singer of the Arab world. With over 100 million sold albums, concerts all over the world and prestigious collaborations, Kadim Al Sahir is acclaimed Kaiser (Caesar) of Arab music. The author-songwriter dazzles with his vocal mastery and bewitches crowds with a privileged repertoire of romantic ballads, maqamats, traditional poems, and engaging lyrics.

Come from the other side of the ocean, the Argentinean group Alma de Tango will assemble on Saturday, May 21^st bandoneonist Juan Juan José Mosalini, singer Sandra Rumolino and dancer and stage director Jorge Rodriguez. Sometimes intimate, sometimes volcanic, this show will convey incredible emotions through tango. Claiming a poetic dimension without ever denying its popular roots, Alma de Tango will hold up high its Argentinian identity celebrated through the most beautiful pieces of this unique dance.

Heir of a Palestinian family of oud-players, Trio Joubran is comprised of three virtuoso brothers native of Nazareth. Formed in 2003, the group regularly performs in Europe, the United States, Canada, Latin America and in the Arab world. Sunday May 22^nd, they will offer their best compositions from their successful albums, Randana, Majâz, and Asfâr, dedicated to the diffusion of the Palestinian culture.

Festivalgoers will meet a great woman of fusion on Monday May 23^rd. Renown for her pioneer role of mixing eastern and western music, Natacha Atlas, will present her latest album, Myriad Road, a jazz record composed and co-produced by trumpet player Ibrahim Maalouf. She will also perform hits that ignited the success of her career since 1994.

The following day, Tuesday May 24^th, the Qawwali Flamenco fusion, born from the mix of Pakistani and Spanish repertoires, will offer a fruitful blend between the virtuous volcanic power of gawwali chants and the hypnotic lyricism of flamenco. Following a first encounter ten years ago, Faiz Ali Faiz will once again be associated to inimitable rhythms of Juan Gomez “Chicuelo,” fetish guitarist of flamenco’s greatest voices.

Wednesday May 25^th, French singer Imany will take over the stage to convey pop/folk style compositions, with influences from Tracy Chapman and Billie Holiday. After a first album, The Shape Of A Broken Heart, released in 2011 and certified platinum in many countries, Imany will seduce the Mawazine public with the imprint of her unique voice and a universe establishing her as a wide audience artist simultaneously glamorous and authentic.

The day after, Mexican artist Paco Renteria, genius guitarist and songwriter, will set up headquarters at the theatre. Regularly compared to Paco de Lucía and designated as Carlos Santana’s successor, his eclectic free play style incorporates Latino rhythms and influences of rock, jazz, progressive, Afrikaans, and gypsy-style flamenco. Composer, producer, and arranger of his entire repertoire, we owe him the original soundtrack of movie Desperado, as well as the soundtrack of The Mask of Zorro. On stage, he is accompanied by exceptional musicians, whose energies he manages to reach from the diversity of the sounds produced by their instruments, including the trumpet, transverse flute, bansuri, and percussions. Paco Renteria played in the whole world and travels often throughout Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Similar to Buena Vista Social Club Cuban musicians, the El Gusto orchestra is a reflection of the Maghreb. Come from Algeria, this group of jewish and muslim musicians separated by history and reunited fifty years later will be the center of attention on Friday May 27^th. Poet of châabi music, this unique group brings together the very best of Maghreban singers and musicians. Subject of a successful documentary, the group is famous by its music from the time Jewish and Muslim sang together, in the Kasbah of Algiers, about a century ago.

Finally, on Saturday May 28^th, an exceptional evening will conclude the Mohammed V National Theatre lineup, with a tribute to Mohamed Abdel-Wahab paid by Syrian singer Safwane Bahlawane. Incarnating to perfection the Egyptian legend’s sublime voice, the artist brilliantly evokes the golden age of Arab music. Known by many nicknames, “Abdel-Wahab’s doppelganger” or “Syrian Abdel-Wahab,” Safwane is a phenomenon and will perform the master’s greatest songs, which he met in Lebanon in 1971.