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Saha Gnawa: Bacha Hamou

By Ludovico Granvassu
November 13, 2025
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Even though Saha Gnawa is co-lead by Moroccan master musician Maâlem Abdellah Ben Jaafer—genuine Gnawa royalty—the project was actually born in Brooklyn, sparked by his collaboration with drummer Daniel Freedman and growing from late-night sessions into a full-fledged band. Their self-titled debut includes notable guests, among them Donny McCaslin and, on this track, "Bacha Hamou," Nels Cline. Not to mention a power line up which also includes Gilad Hekselman & Guilherme Monteiro on guitars and Jason Lindner on keyboards.

A thrilling reminder of how naturally jazz and Gnawa traditions speak to one another.

Contact Ludovico Granvassu on All About Jazz.
I'm the Editor-in-Chief of All About Jazz Italia, host of Mondo Jazz on Radio Free Brooklyn and was once visited by Frank Zappa's ghost.... he was funny too.

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