BAND MEMBERS:
Bachir Attar (Leader), Mustapha Attar, Abdellah Attar, Mohamed “El Hadj” Attar, Amin Attar, Mohamed el Attar (Berdouz Jr.), Mohamed el Attar (The Mohkadem), Abelzarak “El Hadj” el Attar, Hamido el Attar, Mokhtar Jaghdal, Mohammed el Hammadi, Bouker Talha, Ahmed el Ballouti, Abdellah Bohkzar
Most of the musicians still live in Jajouka; however, some spend time outside of the village, supplementing their income with other work. The group performs with as many as 14 members, but typically tours with about 10, due to the high cost of travel and accommodation.
MEMBERS PAST:
Band Leader Jnuin “El Hadj” Abdesalam el Attar (Bachir Attar’s Father), Mohamed el Attar (Berdouz Sr.), Taher Bohkzar, Mfdal, Ali Nachat el Attar, Mohamed Sandouli el Attar (Retired), Ali el Attar, Mohamed el Attar (The Mohkadem’s Father), Ali Majdoubi, Mohammed el Bacari, Ahmed el Attar, Larbi Hilali, Ali Rtoubi, Mohamed el Attar (Headache), Mohamed Ghalani, Abdesalam el Attar (Bachir’s Uncle), Ahmed el Attar, Mohamed el Attar, Abdesalam el Attar, Abdellah Shirioui (Retired), Lahcen Brital (Retired), Abdeslam Boukzar (Let Go), Ahmed “Titi” el Attar (Let Go)
As a hereditary brotherhood, the Master Musicians of Jajouka consistently experience generational change. Most members are from the Attar family, though not all Attars are musicians. Only a few members per generation reach the level of malim, the highest level of mastery. Some musicians play with the group part–time; a few have been let go. The preceding members have passed away unless otherwise noted.
Influences
2000-year-old Sufi Music. Persian and Andaluz influences.
Live Volume 1 is the first Jajouka release in 9 years and marks the
triumphant return of the legendary Master Musicians of Jajouka, led
since 1982 by Bachir Attar.
Recorded in Lisbon on the final night of a weeklong tribute to Paul
Bowles, Live Volume 1 is the debut release on Jajouka Records, owned
and operated by Bachir Attar and the Master Musicians. The album
contains several new and never before released tracks, capturing the
group at the height of their powers.
The Master Musicians of Jajouka with Bachir Attar are currently
booking N. American tour dates for early spring in support of the
upcoming documentary The Hand of Fatima. Directed by Augusta
Palmer, The Hand of Fatima documents her travels to Morocco to
investigate her father’s (esteemed rock critic Robert Palmer) relationship
with The Master Musicians of Jajouka. There is also a narrative film
currently in post production called Boujeloud by French filmmakers
Mark and Erik Hurtado which tells the history of the music in Jajouka.
Bachir Attar and The Master Musicians of Jajouka have been
performing outside of Morocco since 1980 when they completed a
successful European tour under the leadership of Bachir's father, Hadj
Abdesalam El Attar. Since the arrival of the new millenium the
Musicians have been touring in Europe, Canada, Hong Kong, Morocco
and the US. This past year "The Master Musicians of Jajouka with
Bachir Attar" completed a highly acclaimed 2008 Summer Tour of
Canada where they were honored by receiving the Prix Minor award for their performance at "Le Festival D'ete"in Quebec.
The Master Musicians of Jajouka were first heard by the western world
on Brian Jones Presents the Pipes of Pan At Jajouka released on Rolling Stones Records in 1971, two years
after on Jones’ tragic death. The music of the Master Musicians
soon captivated a generation of musicians and led to seminal recordings
with Ornette Coleman on 1973’s Dancing In Your Head and the Joel
Rubiner produced Master Musicians of Jajouka.
The Master Musicians of Jajouka with Bachir Attar were introduced to a
new generation in 1989, appearing on The Rolling Stones Steel Wheels
album. In 1992 the Master Musicians with Bachir released the Bill
Laswell produced Acopolypse Across the Sky on Laswell’s Axiom
imprint. While touring in 1995 the MMoJ recorded Jajouka Between
The Mountains at Peter Gabriels’ Real World Studios. In 2000, Talvin
Singh introduced a whole new audience to the Master Musicians and
Bachir Attar with the electronica –tinged The Master Musicians of
Jajouka featuring Bachir Attar.
As a solo artist, Bachir Attar has recorded and toured with artists
including Maceo Parker, The Rolling Stones, Critters Buggin’, Steve
Lacey, Deborah Harry, Ornette Coleman and Sonic Youth’s Lee
Ranaldo. Attar collaborated with highly respected improvisational artist
Elliot Sharp on the album Bachir Attar In New York and a subsequent tour together
in 1988. Attar also worked with Bill Laswell and Maceo Parker on The
Next Dream, released in 1992. In 1994 Bachir collaborated with The
Rolling Stones for the re-release of "The Pipes of Pan at Jajouka"
presented by Brian Jones.
The Master Musicians’ music has been used in films including The Cell,
Naked Lunch, The Sheltering Sky, and Bad Timing.
booking, management jajouka.com
Both this myspace page and the official jajouka.com site are directed by manager Cherie Nutting and band leader Bachir Attar. This is the artist's own myspace presence and not a fan page. (Please do not be confused by pages with false bios; this is the only Myspace page representing our group.) Cherie Nutting is also official photographer for the group, and photographs by her displayed on this site appear with her permission.
Note: our photo gallery photos, scans, and logos are intended for our site's use only. Please do not download and republish items from our photo gallery outside our page without our explicit permission.
To visitors: Sometimes we don't use the Comments section because we've had problems working with it at times, but we read and appreciate all comments.
Master Musicians of Jajouka's Friend Space (Top 26)
Salam! I enjoyed the jam session with you and Ornette at his studio two weeks ago. Hope you have a good time in Jajouka today. Today is New Year in Iran, so Happy New Year, brother. This morning we had snow in NY. Are we speaking of spring today?! Hope to see you soon. Sohrab
Hi, greetings from Portugal thank you for accept me, it's really an honnor to be among your friend. Congratulations for your vibrant music all the best
Your concert last night was magnificent! I wouldn't have missed it for anything. The Master Musicians of Jajouka are one of the great treasures of humanity.
Thank you for your friendship and your beautiful music. The moon is my dear friend, she wakes me up to see her right outside my window. Blessings to you. Peace.
Thank you sincerely for the greatest evening in my entire life! Thank you for talking to my friends and I in the LA rain, Bachir! Sorry I don't speak Arabic, or I would have spoken to the rest of you!
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