This story is all about connecting…
…and the power of music to bring people together.
It all started with a drive to work. John Gunther was listening to the radio and the news was filled with fear and divisiveness. “I thought, what can I do as a musician to help contribute in a positive way. There is so much misunderstanding and lack of empathy” Gunther thought of previous collaborations he had undertaken with other musicians from around the world. He immediately thought of the Gnawa musicians from Morocco – Many American musicians have traveled to Morocco to experience the deep melodies and grooves of the Gnawas including jazz musicians Randy Weston, Pharoah Sanders, Joe Zawinul, and Marcus Miller. Most famously, Jimmi Hendrix spent some time in the city of Essaouira studying with a Gnawa master or “Maâlem.”
Fast forward about a year and John found himself arriving in that same town of Essauoira to meet a young “Maâlem”, Fourat Koyo, who was introduced through mutual friends. “I had just arrived and I heard outside in the street this amazing drumming and singing….I ran outside and there was Fourat performing in preparation for a Lila.” A Lila is the centerpiece of the Gnawa tradition – an all night celebration of prayer, dance and healing with a repertoire of ancient African Islamic spiritual religious songs and rhythms. In the following days, Fourat shared his culture and music even bringing John to a Lila. “It was really an incredible experience. The energy and artistry of the musicians was powerful. Everyone was so generous and welcoming.”
Fast forward again several months and Fourat had now traveled to Denver, Colorado for a series of concerts, teaching and recording. Joined by New York based musicians Brad Shepik on guitar and John Hadfield on drums, the quartet quickly found their sound as a new band. “Fourat taught us these beautiful songs – amazing melodies and rhythms that we could stretch and improvise over as well.” Fourat visited the University of Colorado in Boulder where Gunther teaches and shared the history and culture of the Gnawa with the students and faculty.
