Hassan Hakmoun to open for Tinariwen

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Hassan Hakmoun is a powerful,soulful and charismatic "Master" musician who has been performing since childhood on the streets of Marrakech, Morocco. Hassan started performing in his homeland as an entertainer for Gnawa Ceremonies. These ceremonies are known for spiritual healing and trance. He soon became the "Lead Musician" of his group, learning all the music and instruments by heart.

Not before long, Hassan became a Master of the Santir,(a three string,long necked lute). His music has been called prayer, a celebration of emotions, a mixture of happiness and sorrow. Trance is a brilliant fusion of traditional Moroccan healing music, funk, rock, jazz, and reggae. Hassan first made his debut in 1987 at Lincoln Center,New York. Since then, Hassan and his music have been selected by Rolling Stone as one of the "Hot Picks of ..94", topped the charts with his albums "The Fire Within", "Gift of the Gnawa", and "Trance" on the World Music Albums, World Music Charts Europe, New World,and CMJ Radio Top 150 and more. He won "The Album of the Year" in 2003 from the AFIM Indie Awards for the album, "The Gift". He performed at WOODSTOCK 94, WOMAD 94 tour with Peter Gabriel. Hassan Hakmoun has performed and recorded with Randy Weston Don Cherry, Richard Horowitz, Adam Rudolph, Paula Cole, Bob Telson, Peter Gabriel, Ittal Shore,and many more.He has appeared on the Tonight Show and David Sanborn's NBC Sunday Night Music.

Hassan is currently working on his new album which will be a new riveting and sensational collaboration between inspirational singers around the world. Overall, Hassan Hakmoun has truly shined to many people around the world bringing them together, and intertwining the diversity of music. Hassan can hold a crowd in a constant motion of enthusiasm with both him and his bands energy. " I love his extraordinary voice. He has a fantastic way of blending his Moroccan roots with a variety of western and African styles to produce music that is very fresh,modern yet familiar. As a performer he is charismatic, energetic and a spectacular dancer. I'm very happy to be able to work with him." -Peter Gabriel, Rolling Stone