Brahim Benhim’s La Kasbah Moroccan Ensemble
Melbourne’s foremost Moroccan musician, Brahim Benhim, and his group
La Kasbah bring to life the rhythms and melodies that are an integral
part of Moroccan life. Brahim’s musical career spans over twenty
five years, and as well as providing lead vocals he is a multi-instrumentalist
and dancer.
Moroccan music reflects classical Arabic poetic traditions, with beautiful,
carefully crafted lyrics. When combined with enticing dance rhythms and
haunting melodies based on Arabic scales, these influences create a music
that uniquely Moroccan.
La Kasbah’s showcases Brahim’s mastery of the oud (Arabic
lute) and other traditional instruments. The group has a repertoire which
includes traditional Moroccan songs in Arabic, Spanish and French; original
songs written by Brahim and improvisational instrumental and percussion
pieces.
Brahim was born in Rabat, Morocco’s capital city. The rich musical
and cultural heritage of Morocco reflects its position as one of the great
artistic and cultural crossroads in the history of the world. Situated
on the north-east coast of northern Africa, Morocco sits at the mouth
of the Mediterranean, only one hour’s ferry ride across the Straits
of Gibraltar from the south coast Spain.
