Saha Gnawa

SAHA GNAWA brings North African futurism to the U.S., uniting the founders of Innov Gnawa with leading figures from New York City's jazz and contemporary music scenes to reimagine modern Gnawa music. The ensemble is co-led by MAÂLEM HASSAN BEN JAAFER, a master musician carrying forward generations of Gnawa tradition as the son of esteemed Maâlem Abdullah Benjaafar of Fes. He performs on vocals and guembri (a three-stringed bass lute) and has collaborated with artists like Randy Weston and leads the Grammy-nominated group Innov Gnawa. Co-leader DANIEL FREEDMAN, a drummer and composer, brings decades of experience collaborating with artists like David Byrne and Angelique Kidjo, as well as deep knowledge of traditions from Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. The ensemble also features AMINO BELYAMANI (Innov Gnawa, Dawn of Midi) and DAVID LIZMI (Innov Gnawa, Bombino) on qraqebs and backing vocals, JASON LINDNER (David Bowie, Now vs Now) on keys and synths, and GUILHERME MONTEIRO (Gal Costa, Forro in the Dark) and GILAD HEKSELMAN on guitars. Refined via late-night sessions at LunÀtico in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, SAHA GNAWA explores trance-like states through its intuitive interplay, allowing ancestral rhythms and melodies to drift into unknown territories. Their self-titled debut album will be released on Pique-nique in Fall 2025.