BAB L’ BLUZ / DIZZY MANDJEKU & THE ODEMBA OK ALL STARS

With their name literally meaning ‘the gate to the blues’, Bab L’Bluz honors the traditional North African blues, in a non-traditional way, straight from the heart of the Maghreb. Formed in Marrakesh in 2018, this quartet is inspired by Moroccan music traditions, which they combine with rock, contemporary sounds and Moroccan pop. Liking to be labelled as a psychedelic Moroccan rock band, they are at the same time ancient and current (traditional and contemporary), funky and rhythmic, all put together with soaring vocals and bass-heavy grooves. They are a band of French and Moroccan musicians led by the female vocalist Yousra Mansour, a declaration of intent from a band, which challenges the predominantly male tradition of Moroccan music

In the Congolese rumba movement, the guitarist Dizzy Mandjeku is considered a living legend. Before he became a member of the renowned Orchestre OK Jazz, directed by Franco Luambo Makiadi in the 60’s and 70’s, Dizzy had already formed numerous bands in his home country, and played with Les Maquisard / Ntesa Dalienst, Tabu Ley Rochereau and many huge names of the Congolese music scene. From Tabu Ley Rochereau’s band, Dizzy and Sam Mangwana formed the African All Stars, a formation that Dizzy was leading and that had quite some impact internationally. Under the artistic direction of Dizzy, the Orchestre African All Stars International released three albums, each considered true soukous monuments. The musical heritage and cultural relevance of Franco Luambo Makiadi and T.P.O.K. Jazz is essential. The Congolese rumba has recently been added to the UNESCO list of intangible heritage.