Jazz is about to make the Red City vibrate! From October 30 to November 1Marrakech is hosting a brand new event that will delight music lovers: the first edition of Marrakech Jazz Experience.
This is the story of a promise kept. About twenty years ago, Karim Bakka, a music enthusiast, promised jazz legend Randy Weston that this musical genre would one day be celebrated in Marrakech. That promise has now been fulfilled: this festival enriches the cultural and tourist offerings of a city already a major player on the international stage.
For this grand premiere, head to the Meydene Theatre, right in the heart of M Avenue, for three exceptional evenings dedicated to the new Moroccan jazz scene.
Programming
Friday, October 30 — Urban Folklore
After years of travel and experimentation, this group, founded in Rabat in 2019, has established itself in the ethno-jazz style. On stage, a unique sonic journey where the classical saxophone converses with the Malian kora, bass, percussion, and guitar—to present their very first album.
Saturday October 31 — Othman El Kheloufi
A multidisciplinary artist originally from Salé, considered one of the pillars of North African jazz. A theatre artist and self-taught musician, he refuses to be pigeonholed: his music blends jazz, Moroccan influences and contemporary creation to tell real stories.
Sunday November 1st — Axel Camil Hachadi
A graduate of Boston's prestigious Berklee College of Music, this French-Moroccan saxophonist embodies the new generation of modern, borderless jazz. Known for his film scores and his album News from the AfterlifeHe offers an impeccable technique in service of intense poetry.
Full sequence
Friday, October 30
- 15 p.m.: Master class at the Nojoum Cultural Center, led by Othman El Kheloufi
- 18 p.m.–20:30 p.m.: Free concert on M SQUARE — Trio Urban Swing
- 20 p.m.: Concert URBAN FOLKLORE
Saturday, October 31
- 11am: Conference by Othman El Kheloufi at the Meydene Theatre (free admission) — "Between heritage and innovation: the dynamics of musical hybridization in Morocco since independence"
- 16 p.m.: Master class at the Nojoum Cultural Center, led by Khalil Bensouda
- 18–20:30 PM: Free concert on M SQUARE — DJ Dick D'alaise
- 20 p.m.: Concert OTHMAN EL KHELOUFI
Sunday November 1
- 11am: Lecture by Éric Petzold at the Meydene Theatre (free admission) — "Jazz in Morocco: History, Circulation and Transformations"
- 18–20:30 p.m.: Free concert on M SQUARE — Maria Naciri
- 20 p.m.: Concert AXEL CAMIL
Practical information
- Location: Meydene Theatre, M Avenue, Marrakech
- Official website: marrakechjazzexperience.org
- Ticketing : guichet.ma and at the Meydene reception
- Instagram: @marrakech.jazz.experience
- Contact : Karim Bakka — 06.37.27.81.45
The artists in brief
Urban Folklore : An instrumental group founded in 2019 in Rabat, blending jazz, ethnic sounds, and modern influences. They have performed at major festivals such as Jazzablanca, Tanjazz, and Jazz au Chellah. Latest single: Phenomena (2024).
Othman El Kheloufi A self-taught saxophonist, singer and composer from Salé, his music blends trance, movement and storytelling. His hybrid universe mixes electronic music with Moroccan traditions.
Axel Camil A French-Moroccan saxophonist, composer, and arranger, trained at Berklee College of Music. He has shared the stage with Majid Bekkas, Simon Moullier, Mino Cinelu, Ramon Lopez, and Karim Ziad. His work explores the dialogue between contemporary jazz and Gnawa, Issawa, and Moroccan rhythms.
