Simo Lagnawi

Simo Lagnawi, a Maalem (Gnawa master musician) from Morocco, is considered to be the leading exponent of Gnawa music in the UK today. An innovative performer he has collaborated in a range of musical genres as well as composing new works in traditional Gnawa style. His performances include acrobatic dance as well as vocal chants, guembri and krakeb playing. Simo makes regular appearances on the London scene with residencies at Momo Arabic restaurant, the V&A and Passing Clouds as well as performing at festivals such as Glastonbury, Latitude, Bestival, Boomtown, Larmer Tree, Rhythm Tree, Secret Garden Party & Wilderness in the UK as well as overseas.

Simo is a winner of World Music Network’s ‘Battle of The Bands’ competition and his track ‘Tourklila’ from the album ‘Gnawa London’ features on the covermount CD of Songlines Magazine issue no. 94 in their ‘Top of the World’ selection.

Simo also collaborates with a number of other musicians from The Gambia & Burkina Faso to Japan and also plays with fusion bands Electic Jalaba and Kamba Band, with Griselda Sanderson & Amadou Diagne.