Global Jazz Festival Held in Tangiers, Known as the Music Haven of Freedom

The Moroccan city of Tangiers, known for its rich history as a hub of inspiration for American jazz musicians, is set to host UNESCO’s International Jazz Day for the first time on Tuesday. Jazz legends like Randy Weston, Idrees Sulieman, and Max Roach have all been drawn to this North African port city over the years.

Philippe Lorin, the founder of an annual Tangiers jazz festival, highlighted the city’s magnetic appeal to intellectuals and musicians, quoting a writer who once said there was always a cruise liner in New York preparing to sail for Tangiers.

This year’s Jazz Day will span four days, starting on Saturday, featuring talks and open-air performances. The highlight will be the “All-Star Global Concert” on Tuesday led by jazz icon Herbie Hancock, alongside other renowned musicians.

Tangiers’ cosmopolitan artistic reputation, influenced by its location between Africa and Europe, has attracted international writers, poets, and African American musicians seeking their roots. The city’s history, having been under various colonial powers until Morocco gained independence in 1956, adds to its unique cultural blend.

The city’s musical legacy was further enriched in 1959 when a young Tangiers jazz promoter recorded a session with American jazz musicians, leading to the renowned “The 4 American Jazzmen In Tangier” album. This fusion of jazz and local music genres continues to shape Tangiers’ vibrant music scene.

The collaborative efforts of musicians like Randy Weston and local legend Abdellah El Gourd have blurred genre boundaries, creating a jazz-gnawa fusion that remains a significant part of Tangiers’ musical heritage. Weston’s contributions, including opening the African Rhythms jazz club and launching the city’s first jazz festival, have left an indelible mark on Tangiers’ cultural landscape.