El-Andaluz

El-Andaluz are the leading exponents in London of classical Arabic and Andalusian music. They are led by oud (Arab lute) player Yazid Fentazi who has performed with Cheb Mami, Cheb Sahraoui, Master Drummers of Africa, Robert Plant, Marc Almond, Natacha Atlas and Joi. His playing has been compared to that of the great Anouar Brahem. He also produced two albums for Ali Slimane, Espoir and Maktoub, and is the main composer/producer for the Fantazia Band. He is accompanied by the inimitable derbouka playing of Karim Dellali, the exciting melodic violin of Frank Biddulph and the oriental bass style of Algerian bassist extraordinaire, Hamid Bouri. Karim Dellali plays the derbouka, djembe and other percussion instruments. He has played with Joi, Oojami and Trevor Watts Moiré Music, and is also very active as a DJ. He has always surrounded himself with both North African music and Western music.

Frank Biddulph’s unique improvising style on the violin has led to tours and recording with Balkan group Mukka, including their Radio 1 John Peel Session. He's also recorded and performed with the Waterboys, Stereo MCs and Maurice El Medioni.

Since the mid 80s, Hamid "Hammer" Bouri has played in various rock/funk/reggae bands. He was a member of the reggae/punk band RDF (Radical Dance Faction) and enjoyed touring all over the UK with legendary psychedelic rockers Hawkwind in 1991. During the 90's, he started performing with Algerian singers such as Ali Slimani, Abdelli, Cheb Djolti, Abdelkader Saadoun and Cheb Nassim, as well as the ethnic-techno band CrimeLab.

El-Andaluz take the audience on a wonderful journey around the southern shores of the Mediterranean, often beginning with a poetic and reflective Andalusian Nuba, then travelling on to the trance-like Sufi music of the Sahara. They never fail to end the evening by getting the audience on their feet dancing to the celebratory Chaabi music of Algeria, or to a classical Egyptian belly dance

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