The Magic of Mahmoud
Mahmoud Chouki at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, photo by Scott Saltzman for French Quarter Journal
September 2024Mahmoud Chouki brings together some of the city’s finest musicians, conjuring up an irresistible cultural melange for his latest album, Caravan from Marrakech to New Orleans.
– by Bogdan Mynka
photos by Scott Saltzman
This column is underwritten in part by Lucy Burnett
Seven years ago, a newcomer from Morocco armed with nothing but his musical skills, a thirst for collaboration, and contagious charm entered the New Orleans musical arena.
This July, Mahmoud Chouki triumphantly celebrated the release of his newest album, Caravan from Marrakech to New Orleans, with a sold-out concert at one of New Orleans’ most sought-after performance venues – Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro.
July 28, 2024: the official launch
Outside, the line at Snug Harbor buzzes with anticipation. Chouki’s fans recognize and greet each other, sharing memories of previous concerts with electrifying collaborations and guest appearances. Even those who’ve never met him call him by his first name, as if he were a good friend.
As the crowd waits eagerly to be let in for the second set, the audience from the first set makes their exodus. Their faces are bright with smiles as if they’ve witnessed a miracle. As they exit the cool lights of the intimate venue, a man donning one of this year’s jazzfest shirts and grinning from ear to ear bellows at those waiting: “Are y’all ready to get your minds blown?”
Inside the performance area, the excitement before the second set is tangible. Both floors are packed to the brim, and the standing audience greets the musicians eagerly. The announcer introduces them one by one, almost as if they were boxers being led out to a main event.
And to local jazz aficionados, the night is a showdown of sorts, showcasing their favorite musical champions – Jason Marsalis, Herlin Riley, Detroit Brooks Sr., and Dr. Michael White, as well as Chouki’s longtime friend, pianist Oscar Rossignoli.
Then Mahmoud himself takes the stage.
Mahmoud and friends at Snug Harbor, "Caravan" launch night, July 2024. Photo by Joseph Llewellyn
Mahmoud: From there to here
As a child in Morocco, Mahmoud excelled in classical guitar, beginning conservatory training at age eight. As his skills grew, he began winning competitions and was invited to perform on television throughout the region. He represented Morocco in an international Arab youth meeting in the Emirates and, across the sea, he won first prize at the 2002 International Guitar Competition in San Esteban del Puerto. He was eighteen years old.
At home, his family was open to styles of music from around the world. In high school, his curiosity drew him to more rebellious influences as he listened and imitated the works of Metallica, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and the Eagles.
“I didn’t grow up in a conservative setting,” he says. “I grew up in a cool family–there was dancing, and all kinds of music; it was fun.”
After high school, the young musician took to the road and explored traditional instruments of local cultures. He also began creating his own complex compositions, weaving melodies set over rhythms that carried listeners along, propelling them into new territories.
Mahmoud’s first encounter with New Orleans jazz was during a trip to the States in 2015, when he heard guitar player Brian Seeger slinging a jazz tune on Frenchmen Street. It was here that the dream for combining his own passion-infused, joyful flavor with soulful New Orleans music was born.
“I knew I had to be here,” he remembers.
Mahmoud at the Danny Barker festival, 2024, photo by Ellis Anderson
Armed with a broad repertoire, a knack for finding musical kinship, and an alchemic power that invites magic into any space, Chouki moved to New Orleans, where he has collaborated with players of every genre and any nationality. He allows the energy of the music to dictate the direction of a song’s structure. Imagine having a traveling friend at the family dinner table who performs a piece with a familiar international melody and everyone joins in, adding their own twist, making for an unforgettable evening.
As an example, take one of Chouki’s recent concerts in a neighborhood club across from the streetcar depot, when Carrollton Station welcomed “Mahmoud and Friends.” The event was a unique sort of jam, where all manner of musicians were invited onto the stage to sit in for a song or two. Classically-trained flutists, cellists, opera singers – no genre was spurned – were frequently called up to the stage that night - as at many of his performances.
In another recent show at Snug Harbor, as he played alongside long-time friends and collaborators Oscar Rossignoli and Riccardo Pascal, Mahmoud closed his eyes. Breathing in the music, a quiet smile came to his lips. His fingers wove the tune in the air, intuiting which musician should take the next solo and then signaling them.
Mahmoud performing at the 2024 Gallatin Street Festival earlier this year. Photo by Scott Saltzman.
The Album
His newest album, Caravan from Marrakech to New Orleans, is the perfect amalgamation of the various flavors Mahmoud combines in his magical, musical gumbo. As recognition to all the incredible collaborations he’s had along the way, it features some of the city’s most beloved and prominent jazz musicians - Herlin Riley, Jason Marsalis, Dr. Michael White, John Boutte, Detroit Brooks, Ricardo Pascal, Peter Harris, John Michael Bradford, Simon Moushabeck, Oscar Rossignoli, and Jamison Ross.
Even its production is a collaborative effort. It was recorded at the New Orleans Jazz Museum for the museum’s own label, Gallatin Street Records. Caravan was produced by Grammy-winning R&B/Soul artist Jamison Ross. Even the cover is an artistic collaboration; Zach Boulain and French Quarter artist Emilie Rhys created the cover artwork, with Rhys’ vivid portrait of Mahmoud riveting any casual eye.
In her portrait, Mahmoud stands against a support for a French Quarter balcony, yet the background is split by the musician’s figure. While the sky is the same, one half of the scenery is from the Vieux Carré; the other half is Morocco. Clearly, these two worlds meet in the middle.
The second piece in the album, “Angelica” – featuring the award-winning Jason Marsalis – is an homage to when Mahmoud first began playing at Snug.
“I first heard Ellis Marsalis play this song on piano. He was playing on Fridays, and I was playing on Saturdays, and when I saw the poster, Ellis Marsalis – Friday, Mahmoud Chouki – Saturday, I thought to myself ‘Wow, I made it.’”
Years later, after the passing of the jazz patriarch, when he was drawing up the songs to be featured on the album, Mahmoud called up Jason Marsalis to collaborate on “Angelica” for the recording.
During the launch party performance at Snug in July, Mahmoud closes his eyes for a brief moment before the group performs the song. He takes his hand off the oud and lets the silence seep into the walls: “Let’s do it for Ellis.”
Mahmoud at the Gallatin Street Festival, photo by Scott Saltzman
Cut number seven on the record is a New Orleans classic, “Saint James Infirmary.” This night, it features another local jazz celebrity renowned for his soulful singing of the blues - Detroit Brooks Sr.
The song opened with Brooks’ introducing the well-known melody. The soul in this man’s smooth and sweeping voice is enough to move both the diehard jazz fan and first-time enjoyer alike to the brink of tears.
After the first solo, things take a turn and Mahmoud inserts some Morocco into this standard by singing the verse in his native Arabic. In lieu of the classical nylon-string guitar, he’s playing a custom-built cigar-box oud made by guitarist and luthier Brett Gardner. The instrument is a powerful symbol of how Mahmoud has fused the traditions of New Orleans with his own. The result is an inimitably powerful combination of soulful blues with the ancient sound of the North African oud.
Mahmoud at Snug Harbor for the album launch performance, Detroit Brooks in the background. Photo by Cathryn Giff
To any onlooker at the performance this night, one thing is clear: Mahmoud is inviting us into more than just the music. It’s the universal language of music, connecting us from all cultures and all walks of life. Every listener sways to the beat, steeping ourselves in the haunting tunes he and his ridiculously talented friends are bringing to life.
The energy soars high on the ultimate piece of the set. Hernan Riley and Jason Marsalis begin an impromptu duet, Riley exploring outside of his drum kit and utilizing the nearby water pipe as a rhythm device. Marsalis stoops low to bring out the texture of the vibraphone’s foundation.
Oscar Rossignoli and Detroit Brooks Sr. share a laugh over Riley’s ingenuity, while Dr. Michael and Chloe White engage in a cascading duet of interchanging thirds. Witnessing all this unfold, Mahmoud is in heaven.
As the final song of the soaring piece fiercely sets into the hearts and memories of a mesmerized crowd, Mahmoud addresses the audience with one final, heartfelt message:
“I’m so grateful to have you all in my life right now, and grateful to have moved to New Orleans seven years ago.
“I’m a dreamer. I dreamed of living in this city. I’m living that dream playing with amazing, amazing musicians and friends. Thank you.”
Mahmoud performing at Jazz Fest 2024, photo by Scott Saltzman
Epilogue: “No Matter What”
A few days later, Chouki is performing again, this time at Satchmo Summerfest. The energy is palpable - food, music, libations, and entertainment for all ages as the New Orleans Jazz Museum is overflowing with music lovers of all ages. Before the set begins, Mahmoud is center stage discussing a groove with Yusa, who he’s performing with this day. She’s the high-energy Cuban musician whose rhythms make it impossible to refrain from dancing.
Oscar Rossignoli, Mahmoud Chouki and Yusa at the 2024 Satchmo Summerfest, photo by Ellis Anderson
In a front row spot that had been patiently staked out in advance, a New Orleans music fan lounges in a folding chair, a Paradise Park beer can sitting snugly in its koozie.
He’s politely approached by a tourist who wants to know, “What kind of music will the musicians be playing?”
The local’s response? “It’s Mahmoud. It’s going to be great no matter what.”
Mahmoud at the New Orleans Jazz Museum by Scott Saltzman
Track list
1. Safar
2. Angelica featuring Jason Marsalis
3. Egyptian Fantasy
4. Caravan featuring Herlin Riley
5. My Little Blue Suede featuring Ricardo Pascal
6. Nevertheless featuring Detroit Brooks
7. Mahmoud’s Blues (single)
8. St. James Infirmary
9. Treme Song featuring John Boutte
10. Party Time (Treme Reprise) BONUS TRACK
“CARAVAN” FEATURED ARTISTS:
Herlin Riley, Jason Marsalis, Dr. Michael White, John Boutte, Detroit Brooks, Ricardo Pascal, Peter Harris, John Michael Bradford, Simon Moushabeck, Oscar Rossignoli, and Jamison Ross.
To get a vinyl copy of “Caravan” contact Louisiana Music Factory.
GALLATIN STREET RECORDS
Greg Lambousy, Director
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