Marrakech may be known for its souks, food, rooftops and nightlife, but a growing live music scene could soon give visitors another reason to experience the city.
Despite its international reputation as a cultural destination, jazz has historically had a relatively low profile in Marrakech, with the city’s music offering largely dominated by traditional Moroccan entertainment and contemporary nightlife.
But hospitality experts say that is beginning to change, with audiences growing, more musicians performing in the city and new spaces giving local and international jazz artists a platform.
Among them is Black Experience, a Marrakech-based five-piece combining traditional Moroccan Gnawa with American jazz, gospel, blues and ragtime.
The self-taught group has developed a following through regular performances at Le Bistro Arabe, part of the Riad Monceau Collection.
The growing scene forms part of a broader cultural offering at the Riad Monceau Collection, which includes Le Bistro Arabe and La Pergola, Marrakech’s original rooftop bar. La Pergola recently passed 40,000 Google reviews while maintaining a 4.8-star rating.
Marc Antoine, founder of Riad Monceau Collection, said: “Marrakech is known internationally for its food, rooftops, design and nightlife. Music has never had quite the same profile, particularly jazz, despite the quality of musicians we have here in Morocco.
“For such a cosmopolitan city, the choice has traditionally been quite narrow. There is folklore at one end and DJs and more contemporary nightlife at the other, while jazz and other forms of live music have had relatively few places to develop.
“But that is starting to shift. Audiences are growing, more musicians are coming through the city and there is clearly an appetite for something different. At Le Bistro Arabe, what began as quite a niche proposition has gradually found its audience, and Black Experience has developed a real following.
“What interests me particularly is the relationship between Gnawa and American jazz. Both draw on African musical traditions, so when those sounds meet it doesn't feel forced. There is a natural dialogue between them.
“I think Marrakech has the potential to become a serious destination for jazz. It won't happen overnight, but the musicians are here, the audience is developing and the city has an international platform. Now it needs the places and opportunities for that scene to grow.”
Black Experience was formed around 2022 and brings together musicians from Morocco and Ivory Coast, reworking jazz standards and familiar songs through Gnawa rhythms and their own influences.
For more information, visit https://riad-monceau.com/
