Hassan Hakmoun

Hassan Hakmoun (born September 16, 1963) is a master musician from Marrakech, Morocco, recognized as a global ambassador of Gnawa music—a traditional spiritual and rhythmic genre of the descendants of West African slaves. 

Early Life and Mastery

• Family Roots: Born into a musical family, he was introduced to the spiritual world by his mother, a noted mystic healer.
• Training: He began studying tagnawit (Gnawa arts) at age seven under masters like Hmida Boussou.
• Instrument: He is a master of the sintir (a three-stringed, long-necked lute) and various percussion instruments like krakebs.
• Master Status: By age 14, he was recognized as a m'allem (master musician) and began leading his own ensemble for derdeba (all-night trance rituals). 

International Career and Fusion

• US Debut: Hakmoun moved to New York in 1987, making his American debut at Lincoln Center.
• Fusion Style: While in the US, he began blending traditional Gnawa sounds with jazz, rock, and urban pop.
• Collaborations: He has worked with world-renowned artists including Peter Gabriel, Don Cherry, David Sanborn, and the Kronos Quartet.
• Groups: He formed several ensembles, most notably the fusion group Zahar. 

Major Works and Accolades

• Notable Albums:
  • Trance (1993) – Produced by Simon Emmerson and recorded at Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios.
  • The Fire Within (1995) – A traditional acoustic album featuring Don Cherry.
  • The Gift (2002) – Won "Album of the Year" from the AFIM Indie Awards.
• Performances: He was a staple of the WOMAD festival tours and performed at Woodstock '94. 

Personal Life

• Marriage: He was previously married to American singer-songwriter Paula Cole; they divorced in 2007.
• Official Presence: He maintains an active presence on Instagram and his official website.