Cutting Edge Vietnamese Virtuosity and Fiery Gnawa Trance at Rainforest World Music Festival 2019

Mehdi Nassouli – Photo by Angel Romero

The air conditioned Theater Stage at the Rainforest World Music Festival 2019 presented Hà Nội Duo and Mehdi Nassouli on Day 1, Friday, July 12, 2019.

Hà Nội Duo – Photo by Angel Romero

Hà Nội Duo is a project featuring traditional Vietnamese singer and dan bau player Ngô Hồng Quang and renowned jazz guitarist Nguyên Lê. The music performed at the Rainforest World Music Festival combined Vietnamese tradition with cutting edge technology. While Ngô Hồng Quang delivered passionate performances on vocals and mesmerizing tradition and high tech, electric guitar ambiance, beats, virtuoso performances.

Mehdi Nassouli’s Gnawa quintet provided a spellbinding show with Massouli on guimbri and four smiling acrobatic dancers and musicians on the karkabas (metal castanets). Band members included Abdesslam El Ouassif, Mohamed El Gasmi, Rachid Bobros and Driss Yamdah.

Mehdi Nassouli – Photo by Angel Romero
Mehdi Nassouli – Photo by Angel Romero

The headliners on Saturday, July 13th, are reggae artist Macka B, La Chiva Gantiva, and Estonian band Trad Attack.

Author: Angel Romero

Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
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