Mahmoud Guinia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mahmoud Guinia
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| Background information | |
| Born | 1951 Essaouira, Morocco |
| Origin | Morocco |
| Died | 2 August 2015 (aged 64) |
| Genres | Gnawa |
| Instruments | Guembri, Krakebs, Ganga |
Mahmoud Guinia (1951 – 2 August 2015) was a very famous Moroccan musician. He was a master of Gnawa music. Gnawa music is a special kind of spiritual music from Morocco.
Mahmoud Guinia was also a talented singer. He played the guembri, a unique string instrument. People called him a Maâllem, which means "master" in Arabic. He was known for his amazing skills.
He made many recordings during his life. He also worked with musicians from other countries.
Life of a Gnawa Master
Mahmoud Guinia was born in 1951. His hometown was Essaouira, a city on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. His father, Maâllem Boubker Guinia, was also a master of Gnawa music.
Mahmoud was the second son in his family. His brothers, Mokhtar Guinia and Abdellah Guinia, also became Gnawa masters. Their family came from what is now Mali. They were known for their special "Saouiri style" of Gnawa music. This style is unique to Essaouira.
Mahmoud Guinia passed away on August 2, 2015, after being ill. His sons are now continuing his musical tradition. His son, Maâllem Houssam Guinia, is especially well-known.
Mahmoud Guinia's Music and Recordings
Mahmoud Guinia created many musical recordings. Some of his early music was released in Morocco in the 1970s. Later, his music was shared in other countries too.
One of his most famous recordings is called The Trance Of Seven Colors. He made this album in 1994. He worked with an American saxophone player named Pharoah Sanders. His brothers and other family members also played on this album.
Another important recording was The Black Mluks. This was recorded in Canada in 1992. It was part of his first trip outside Morocco to perform. He played at a big music festival in Montreal.
Mahmoud Guinia also collaborated with other musicians. He recorded The WELS Concert with Peter Brötzmann and Hamid Drake. This was at a festival in 1996. He also worked on the "Shaman of the Sahara" recordings in 2001.
His very last studio recordings were made in 2013. They were released after he passed away, in 2017. This album is called Colours of the Night. It helps keep his amazing music alive for new listeners.
