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.AZA.

About Me


Aza is a musical band that was founded in Santa Cruz, CA by two members: Fattah Abbou and Mohamed Aoualou. Both are from Morocco and currently live in Santa Cruz, CA. They’ve played and studied music for over twenty years before moving to the USA six years ago. Fattah and Mohamed are Berbers; and the Berbers or Imazighen (preferred term) are the indigenous people of North Africa whose history records date back to 3300 years ago. The band’s activities are not limited to music but also promoting the Amazigh Culture. Fattah and Mohamed’s efforts have always been part of the Amazigh movement and struggle to revive a culture that has been marginalized for centuries. Our goal is to raise awareness about the Amazigh culture, that it may take its place in the network of various cultures of the world. Through its artistic activities AZA has been able to introduce the Amazigh culture to people of varying ages and arouse their curiosity to know more about it.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 08/02/2007
Band Website: http://www.azamusic.net" http://www.azamusic.net
Band Members: Fattah Abbou (vocals, oud, banjo, sentir, lotar,bazouki, etc.) Mohamed Aoualou (vocals, guitar, oud, bendir, etc.) Sylvain Carton (Sax, guitar), Kevin DiNoto (Drum set, various percussion), Joel Ford (Sax, Clarinet, flute), Pete Novembre (Bass, acoustic/electric), Patrick Richey (Tabla, various percussion instruments).
Influences: Tamazight (Berber), Moroccan, Various Western styles
Sounds Like: Highly percussive music with an excellent pulse rooted in North Africa. Founders are from Morocco and have created highly unique sounds blending the traditions of North Africa with a hint of the West. Music ranges from indigenous to experimental with a propensity to sound danceworthy, soulful if not trancey.
Record Label: AZA
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

At the Chicago Cultural Center 2006

See a video of us at the Chicago Cultual Center
Posted by on Thu, 01 Mar 2007 11:02:00 GMT