Moroccan Gnaoua master Maalem Mustapha Bakbou passed away on Monday, September 8, in Marrakech at the age of 72. His death was confirmed by his brother Mohamed Bakbou, who shared the news with SNRT. «It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of the great Maalem Mustapha Bakbou», Neila Tazi, founder of the Gnaoua Festival, paid tribute on social media. «This is a tremendous loss for the Moroccan artistic scene. My heartfelt condolences go to his family, the Gnaoua brotherhood of Morocco, and the broader community of Tagnaouite lovers». Born in 1953 in Marrakech, Bakbou was introduced to Tagnaouite by his father, Maalem El-Ayachi Bakbou, within a Gnaoua zaouia. He rose to prominence as a member of the iconic group Jil Jilala during the folk music movement of the 1970s, committed to preserving the traditional essence of Gnaoua while pioneering its fusion with other musical genres. A true pioneer, Bakbou was among the first to blend Gnaoua with world music, collaborating with internationally acclaimed artists such as Marcus Miller, Pat Metheny, Louis Bertignac, Eric Legnini, and the French jazz group Sixun. His exceptional performances and fusions carried him to stages across Morocco, Europe, America, and Asia, establishing him as one of the foremost ambassadors of Gnaoua music. Most recently, he captivated audiences at the Gnaoua World Music Festival with his signature guembri playing.
