At Sonic Bridges, sparks fly when Marmoucha Orchestra and gnawa master Mehdi Nassouli share the stage together. Their interplay brims with energy: deep, pulsating gnawa grooves meet rich jazzy harmonies that sometimes turn out unexpectedly like pure rock. This unique chemistry, the result of years of collaboration, guarantees time and again a compelling live sound that you feel in every fibre and that makes it impossible to stay still!
Marmoucha Orchestra
Marmoucha Orchestra consists of top musicians who connect modern movements with musical traditions from Southwest Asia and North Africa. Led by artistic director Arin Keshishi, they perform compositions that both pay homage to heritage and renew it with boldness and creativity. With numerous successful projects, the ensemble has developed a recognisable, international sound that continues to grow and inspire.
Mehdi Nassouli
With his hypnotic guembri playing and powerful, rhythmic vocals, Mehdi Nassouli lifts any stage into a different atmosphere. His collaborations with the likes of Herbie Hancock and Alpha Blondy demonstrate his exceptional talent for intertwining the deep spiritual roots of gnawa with jazz, classical, reggae, and countless modern movements. Live, he creates an intense, inspirational show that grabs you and won't let go.
Why you need to see Sonic Bridges!
Sonic Bridges brings together century-old gnawa tradition and innovation in a very direct way. Open your mind to deep, trance-like grooves, playful jazz and rhythmic improvisations that can go either way. It's music that comes in, gets people moving and won't let you go.
Line-up
Mehdi Nassouli - Vocal, guembri, composition
Xavi Torres - Piano
Arin Keshishi - Bass, composition, arrangement
Jessy Hay - Guitar
Tuur Moens - Drums
Udo Demandt - Percussion
Maripepa Contreras - Oboe, arrangement
Ernesto Montenegro - Trumpet
Pablo Martínez - Trombone
Antonio Moreno - package
Sonic Bridges: A Short Documentary
Marmoucha Orchestra ft. Medi Nassouli - Sonic Bridges
Book Sonic Bridges now on:
- 24 October 2026 at PLT Theatre Heerlen!
- 25 October 2026 at TivoliVredenburg Utrecht!
- 1 May 2026 at Amare The Hague!
- 15 May 2026 at the Chasse Theatre Breda during the Breda Jazz Festival!
- 27 June
Reviews
“With exuberant sounds, the group along with their special guest Mehdi Nassouli on the guembri transformed the venue into a dance palace.... the music was an unrelenting firework: intense, loud and compelling.”
Bremen Zwei
“Marmoucha Orchestra together with Moroccan Mehdi Nassouli on his guembri enthusiastically lifted the audience out of their seats.”
Jazzradar
The concert was really enjoyable, especially considering the fact that we hadn't heard the band before. The music was super fun and catchy. The performers were all charismatic and the audience interaction was great. We were singing and dancing! All around a great time!
Julie
Surprising, jazzy, swinging, harmonious and melodious. In short, a great evening of music. Definitely recommended!
Edward
Sonic Bridges was made possible (in part) by the AFK (Amsterdam Fund for the Arts) and by FPK (Fonds Podiumkunsten).
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