The Wire magazine has a feature Jajouka in its Global Ear section by Lisa Blanning who attended this year's Master Musicians of Joujouka Festival, June 5-7. Lise stayed with leader of the Master Musicians of Joujouka, Ahmed Attar,and obviously enjoyed her stay in the village and the music and people she encountered there . The Master Musicians are proud for the offer to allow a free download and music stream on The Wire magazine website which will be permantently available on http://www.thewire.co.uk/articles/3035/ The download is a preview , rough mix, of the first ten minutes 23 seconds of the recording of the Brian Jones 40th Anniversary Festival, main night poerformence. This performance started 40 years to the hours after Brian Jones recorded the seminal Brian Jones presents the Pipes of Pan at Joujouka LP in 1968. This is the start of the Boujeloud performance and is a rough mix of an edit from a continuous performance that lasted over 1 hours 30 mins. It was produced by Frank Rynne and engineered by David Slevin. Title Habibi Wan Amali / My love what more have I/L'Aita /The Call Artist The Master Musicians of Joujouka The Master Musicians of Joujouka/Jajouka on this recording are Ahmed El Attar drums El Kahil Radi drums Mustahpa El Attar drums Ahmed Bouhsini rhiata Mohamed Mokhchan rhiata Abdelslam Errtoubi rhiata Abdellah Ziyat rhiata Mohamed El Attar rhiata Mohamed El Tahami rhiata http://www.thewire.co.uk/articles/3035/ Buy the October 2009 issue of The Wire for Lisa Blanning's article reporting on the 2009 festival.

Statements from Ahmed Attar/ Master Musicians of Joujouka/Master Musicians of Jajouka re Bachir Attar's false claims and the Master Musicians

Hello every body I'm Ahmed Attar. I'm ready to answer these questions:

Bachir Attar and his manager, Cherie Nutting state that he is the one true and hereditary leader of the Master Musicians. They say he inherited his leadership from his father. This would mean his father was also hereditary leader?

Ahmed Attar: Bachir Attar has gathered retired people (military who play Gaita) from Ksar el Kebir (N.B. this is the nearest city to Joujouka / Jajouka / Jajouka) and outside, and has become their leader. He has no connection with us, the Mallimin/Masters who live in Joujouka / Jajouka.

How do the Master Musicians chose a leader?

Ahmed Attar: For many years the musicians chose the leader with the agreement of anyone in the group for a period of 1 year; or more if he worked well, or they change him for another one.

Who were the last five or ten leaders of the musicians and when were they elected?

Ahmed Attar:

The leaders were:
Elghailani Mohamed (dead), (1956),
Zekiken Ahmed (dead), (1958),
Mejdoubi Mohamed(dead), (1964),
Attar Ayachi (dead), 1965 (Editors Note: father of current leader Ahmed Attar),
Twimi Ahmed(dead), (1967),
Ghailani Mefedal(1971)
Abdeslam Attar (Djinnoun Bachir's father, in 1978 leader for 3 years ).
Attar Abdeslam Ali (alive he has 98 years old)(1983),
Attar Mohamed (dead) 1990
, and me Attar Ahmed (called Titi). 1999


plus who was never the leader but he a big musician who works with us Retoubi Mefedal (alive)


Does leadership pass from father to son?

Ahmed Attar: The leadership doesn't pass from father to son because we find several leaders and their sons have no relation with this music but if the son wants to be a musician he can , but not a leader automatically.

What does the leader do?

Ahmed Attar: The leader has to be: clear, confident, skilful and know how to promote the music, and to discuss with people who want to celebrate ceremonies. He is the speaker for the musicians.

Is Bachir Attar the hereditary leader?

Ahmed Attar: Bachir exploits his English language (because none of us musicians speak English) to claim to be a leader with power ,with help of his ex-wife, but no one in Joujouka trusts in Bachir because he stole their money. The big manager was Hamri the painter of Joujouka / Jajouka / Jajouka .In this time all the musicians worked together with Hamri not Bachir. One day Bachir with his brother forced Hamri to make him give them contracts which Hamri had made with the Westerners. They forced Hamri to sign blank sheets of paper. From this day the musicians of Joujouka / Jajouka have no relation with Bachir. (Editors note: This attack took place 27 December 1995)

How does Bachir Attar hurt the traditional music of the village of Joujouka / Jajouka Does he play the same music as the Masters in the village? in style and quality. How is his music different from the music played by the Masters in the village?

Ahmed Attar: When Bachir uses other instruments, he hurts the spiritual music. The Masters Musicians of Joujouka / Jajouka play only the pipes and drum (ghaita and tbel) with no instruments added. When you add other instruments, the music loses its quality.

Is he considered a true Mallim/Master by the Master Musicians?

Ahmed Attar: He isn't because in his group there are some musicians who play better than Bachir. He leads them because he speaks English and gives them some work.

Can the musicians explain why Bachir Attar says they are fake, or impostors?

Ahmed Attar: He says that because he wants to be the only representative of the music of Joujouka / Jajouka so as to exploit the Master Musicians name and to gain money. That's clear because the only one in Joujouka / Jajouka who has a big car (4/4) and a big house and a big account in the bank is Bachir Attar.

What would the Masters like to say to people who claim Bachir Attar is the true leader of the Musicians?

Ahmed Attar: Whoever wants to know more can come to Joujouka / Jajouka to see Bachir’s house and where the others musicians live. We are poor and he became rich because he takes our money. In Joujouka / Jajouka no one talks with Bachir. He is alone. Who can lead people when the people are boycotting them???

How much damage has Bachir Attar's behaviour done to the village?

Ahmed Attar: He makes damage in the media abroad, but in Joujouka / Jajouka all the people know him. We play in religious and civil ceremonies, in festivals, for parties of the KING that's why here in Morocco they don't call Bachir Attar to play they call us.

The letter from the Southbank Centre states that the musicians who played in London are the same ones who played with Ornette Coleman in January 1973. Is this true? Who in the village alive today played with Ornette Coleman in 1973?

Ahmed Attar: This not true because all of them are Dead. There is only one musician still alive in Joujouka / Jajouka who played with Ornette Coleman in 1973 (Ali Abdeslam Attar, you can come to ask him, he did not go to London this year).


Ahmed Attar 5 August 2009

Interview conducted and translated by Mohamed Karbach





Editors Note:

In recent years there has been a lot of misinformation about the Master Musicians of Joujouka who have also been known as Master Musicians of Jajouka, which the musicians have not commented on. The Masters who live and play in their village do not speak languages other than their native Riffian Arabic or Djebli.

For the first time ever the current leader of the Master Musicians Ahmed Attar has answered a series of questions which address the issue of leadership of the Masters and also the claims of his first cousin, Bachir Attar, who records and tours as Master Musicians of Jajouka featuring Bachir Attar and Master Musicians of Jajouka led by Bachir Attar claiming to be the leader of the Master Musicians of Jajouka.

In order to shed some light on these issues a series of questions were sent to the Masters and an interview was conducted and translated by Mohamed Karbach who is a son in law of a Master Musician.

The above statements show that at no time in his life was Bachir Attar the accepted or elected leader of the Master Musicians of Joujouka/Jajouka.

In the period he claims to have taken over the leadership the leader was Mallim Ali Attar and he was followed in the role by Mohamed Attar, and then the current leader Ahmed Attar from 1999.

Ahmed Attar in the Sanctuary of Sidi Ahmed Schiech, Jajouka/Joujouka/Zahjouka, July 29 2008.

http://brianjonesjoujoukafestival.blogspot.com/

I think you'll find this site interesting...

Info on future Festivals in Joujouka/Jajouka. News of events related to William Burroughs and Brion Gysin, Master Musicians of Joujouka etc Join us there for more photos, videos and reports from the archives.

BBC World Service The Beat Report

Frank Rynne chats with Anita Pallenberg on Brian Jones, Mark Paytress on visiting Joujouka, Ahmed Attar leader of the Master Musicians of Joujouka on the spiritual music of the village and Mallim Ali Abdelslam El Attar who at 94 is the oldest musician in Joujouka talks about Brian Jones and the old Mallims who recorded Brian Jones presents the Pipes of Pan at Joujouka.

All recorded at the Brian Jones 40th Anniversary Festival in Joujouka....

"Forty years ago, guitarist Brian Jones, one of the founders of the British rock band the Rolling Stones, travelled to northern Morocco to record a group known as the Master Musicians of Joujouka. The resulting album, 'Brian Jones Presents the Pipes of Pan at Joujouka', not only had a lasting effect on the musicians themselves but went on to become hugely influential after being released on the Rolling Stones own record label. We hear from Frank Rynne, a record producer and historian who recently visited Joujouka to record the Brian Jones 40th Anniversary Festival."

BBC World Service Report From Last Weeks The Beat

To Download Clip Click here

Joujouka, Jajouka, Beat Expert, Joep Bremmers took this amazing shot of Boujeloud trancing at the fire. c Joep Bremmers

Poster designed by Michael Rynne text by The Master Musicians of Joujouka, Printed Larache, Morocco

Update: The microphone stands in the photos were for recording not amplification as the Master Musicians of Joujouka don't need any amps!!!

I have been just listening to some of the recordings from the night 29th/30th July. In all my years visiting the Masters I have never heard anything so extreme, fast and full on performed in the village.....The fastest paced Boujeloud ever!!!....more news on the recordings and the films soon!!! Best Wishes to all who came and keep the photos coming. Frank Rynne (producer MMOJ)

Crazy Aisha Dances Photo Joep Bremmers

The excitment had died down in Joujouka on the afternoon of 31st July, as the Master Musicians relaxed after a sleepless week. The last guests, two Land Rovers, from the film crew got safely placed on their articulated truck by Mark at Ksar El Kebir Thursday afternoon.

On Saturday 26th July a wedding took place in Joujouka and the Master played until dawn. Sunday saw the arrival of the first journalist, as well as sound engineer Dave Slevin, a film crew, plus director Daragh McCarthy and the first guests.

On Monday 28th the guest of honour Anita Pallenberg accompanied by John Dunbar and James Birch arrived. They were accomadated by Hamed El Attar in the house where Brian Jones stayed when he was in Joujouka on 29th July 1968.

Anita Pallenberg and John Dunbar at the Master Musicians of Joujouka headquarters photo Frank Rynne

Mallim Ali Attar joined the Masters each morning. At 94 he is the oldest muiscians in the village recalled Brian Gysin and Brian Jones to the delight of all.

On Tuesday morning the sheep were killed for the feasts at the Mosque and the guesthouse. At 9am Kalil the festival driver began ferrying guests from Ksar El Kebir. The first performnce of the day took place in a large tent at the muiscians new guest house.

After lunch everyone visited the santuary of Sidi Ahmed Schiech and made donations at his tomb.

Relitives of the Mujdoubie brothers, Mallim Fudal, and all the old Master of the Brian Jones period attended for the fests and the festival.

After midnight everyone made their way to the ancient stage, a stone in the centre of the village, where the Masters played without stopping for hours. The Aishas and Boujeloud joined them and danced the night away.

veiw from mallims HQ pic Dave Slevin

News reports, Articles Radio and first mixes available soon.

Thanks to everyone who came, to everyone who helped especially Jaouad Hilali, Yvonne-Marie Rogez, M. A. Chlouchi, President, Association for Co Operation and Development Sidi Ahmed Sherk de Zahjouka, M. M. Milali, Chef de Division Action Sociale, Province de Larache, and special thanks to M. F. Mghari, Caid at Tatoft who ensured that all ran smoothly.

High Noon in Joujouka Pic Dave Slevin

A special thanks to all the people of Joujouka who made the festival possible.

PHOTOS please keep them coming!!!!

Mallim Ali Attar at 94 the oldest musician in Joujouka and oldest surviving Master Musician of Joujouka from Brian Jones presents the Pipes of Pan at Joujouka. Photo Frank Rynne

Mallim Ali Attar with The Master Musicians of Joujouka and Hatmi Attar as Boujeloud performing at lunchtime on the 29th for Moroccan officials in the tent at the new guesthouse.

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The youngest surviving Mujdoubie brother hold up the original 1974 release of Master Musicians of Jajouka. The cover picture is of his brother Ali Mujdoubie R.I.P.....

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....Mustapha Mujoubie nephew of the famous Mudoubie brothers mallim Ali and Mujehid with Abdelslam Attar brother of Ahmed Photo FR

Tha Master Musicians of Joujouka photo Joep Bremmers ....

Guests entering the sanctuary of Sidi Ahmed Schiech at 5pm. Photo FR

Guests making offerings at the tomb of the saint

The tomb of Sidi Ahmed Schiech

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Ahmed Attar leader of the Master Musicians of Joujouka at the ancient tree with its chains in the sanctuary of Sidi Ahmed Schiech, the Cultivator with Lions and Healer of Crazy Minds. Photo Frank Rynne....

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The kids are united! Photo F.R.

Mohamed Mochchan, Abdeslam Errtoubi and his daughter Shima. Photo DMC

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Saudia Attar and Ahmed's mother Photo FR ....

Aisha Kandisha dances, The Master Musiçcians of Joujouka performing at the ancient stage for the region in the centre of the village. Ahmed Attar sits and drums on the stone resevered for the musicians' leader. (YMR)

A fire for Boujeloud (FR)

Boujeloud approaches the Masters. (FR)

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Watching (YMR) ....

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Anita Pallenberg and fans watch the festival performences. (YMR)....

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View from behind Abdelslam Errtoubi's rhiata photo Frank Rynne (FR)....

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Trance in Joujouka photo Frank Rynne....

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Aishas advance photo Frank Rynne....

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Boujeloud and Aishas photo Frank Rynne....

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Boujeloud chases photo Frank Rynne ....

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Boujeloud photo Frank Rynne

Girl Watches Boujeloud 29th July 2008 Photo Joep Bremmers




Boujeloud watches as Joujouka dances photo Frank Rynne ....

July 30th

Second day and the Music goes on photo Joep Bremmers

6.30p.m. Yvonne and Samir Attar (white t shirt and jeans standing on left) son of Mohamed and Saudia (and also electictian to Zacs' film crew) took people to Mgara the cave of Boujeloud. Photo Joep Bremmers

Irish sound engineer Dave Slevin took time out to take some snaps. Thanks Dvae....

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Sound gear set up for 3rd night of recording by Irish sound engineer Dave Slevin Photo Dave Slevin....

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Kicking off. The Master Musicians of Joujouka with the kids and trance man dancing Photo Dave Slevin....

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Dancing begins 30^th July In the tent at the Musicians guesthouse Photo Dave Slevin....

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Mallim Ahmed Attar switches drums mid beat. Photo Dave Slevin....

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.......and makes sure Peter Maybury (graphic designer Boujeloud CD 2006) and M.P. have tea. A true Master Musician!!! Photo Dave Slevin....

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Mohalmed Mockchan solos Photo Dave Slevin

Posing for Jill pic Dave Slevin

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Mark Paytress interviews Frank Rynne and visa versa Joujouka 30^th July Photo Dave Slevin

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Daragh McCarthy and Michael Pollock Hotel Muniria Tanger, where Burroughs wrote Naked Lunch. Hotel recommended by Festival.....

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Director Dragah McCarthy relaxing in Joujouka with the Master Musicians Monday 28^th July....

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Shoes at the guesthouse of the Masters photo Daragh McCarthy....

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Shoes photo Daragh McCarthy....

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The work never stops Yvonne-Marie Rogez leaving the guesthouse photo Daragh McCarthy....

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Mark Paytress, Dave Slevin, Michael Pollock and Jill Furmanovsky listening to afternoon lira palying....

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No sleep till Joujouka Last photo of the last men standing Friday 1^st August l-R Mohamed El Attar, Jaouad Hilali, Redwan Zyiat, Abdelslam Errtoubi, Abdelam Bouskhar, Khalil (Festival driver behind), Ahmed Attar, Frank Rynne, Hatmi, Abdellah Zyiat, and Mustapha Attar. Photo Yvonne-Marie Rogez....

Frank watches as Marks gets ready to load the last Land Rover. photo Yvonne-Marie Rogez


The end of the Festival as the last gear loads out!!!! Photo Yvonne Marie Rogez

Ahmed Attar leader of the Master Musicians of Joujouka in the early 1970s from tour program of the 1980 tour

Brian Jones 40th Anniversary special radio Broadcast

iF YOU MISSED IT  TRy
http://www.rocksoff.org/h9-brianjones-40th.mp3

To commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the untimely death of Brian Jones there is a special radio broadcast featuring Donovan and Julian Jones plus the homage to Brian written by Mohamed Hamri "Brian Jones Joujouka very Stoned".
The Master Musicians of Joujouka's thoughts are with Brian and his family on this day.


ROCKS OFF - The Rolling Stones Message Board

This is to invite you to listen on-line--- LIVE our web-radio special dedicated to commemorate Brian Jones life and his contribution to the music of the sixties, of course making emphasis in his work with the Stones, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, his soundtrack, his gingle, his World-music experimentation, etc, etc

Again, you can call us and contribute to this programme, we are trying to get a two-hour special this time. We’re gonna have simultaneous translation to English and to Spanish

Now the good news, we’re going to have some very special guests, Donovan, yes the legendary Donovan already confirmed and Julian was invited and we’re waiting his confirmation.

In addition to the best of Brian we’re gonna put some songs dedicated to Brian like “Local Boy Chops Wood” by Donovan and one or two songs by Julian.

The appointment is on Friday, 3rd July 2009, we’re gonna be on the local air and on the world wide cyber air!

Live Signal: http://ibero909.fm/index.php/envivo
Windows Media Player: http://ibero909.fm/index.php/envivowmp
Real Player: http://ibero909.fm/index.php/envivorealplayer
Phone: +52-(55)-5292-5909
Instant Messenger: obladioblada909@hotmail.com

Time Schedule

Boualem Hamri laughs over a cup of tea, Joujouka, 1 June 2009. Pic Frank Rynne Ahmed El Attar leadar of the Master Musicians of Joujouka at the sanctuary of Sidi Ahmad Schiech in Joujouka. Sidi Ahmed is the patron saint of the Joujouka Sufis and is called the Cultivator with Lions and the Healer of Crazy Minds. The tree he is standing at is traditionally used to secure violent people with mental problems while the musicians and the blessings of being in the sanctuary cure them. Mallim Ali Abdelsalm El Attar and Radi El Kalil. Mallim Ali is the oldest musician in Joujouka, he re he leads the Master Musicians in song. Musicians from the Attar and Fudal families playing in Joujouka. Trance in Joujouka with Boujeloud. Girls watch as the musicians play at sunset. Dancing with Boujeloud Easyjet.com

feature Article from The Guardian 29 May 2009 Take me into insanity In the Moroccan mountains, village musicians gather each year to worship the goat-man Boujeloud ... and Brian Jones. Mark Paytress joins in the wild party
Joujouka scene by Jill Furmanovsky/Rock Archive




Slide Show of Brian Jones 40th Anniversary Festival

Master Musicians of Joujouka Festival 5-7 June 2009 Joujouka.

Guest willexperience life in Joujouka staying with the musicians and their families in their isolated village. The Master Musicians of Joujouka willplay in intimate sessions around their madrassa/school. The highlight of the festival wwill be the village’s celebration of the Boujeloud ritual in the village square.

Places at the festival are strictly limited as due to accommodation limitations with the families in Joujouka/Jajouka. Guests will be collected from Ksar El Kebir the nearest town to Joujouka on Friday 5^th June and will be brought to the village. Full board will be provided. Food will be prepared in traditional Joujouka fashion from locally sourced produced. Joujouka is a framing community well as Sufi trance music the village is famous for its beautiful olives and olive oil.
 The festival is booking now. The early
bird price is €250 euro.
Accommodation for 5, 6, and 7 June

Full board lunch and evening meal on Friday 5 June
Breakfast, Lunch and traditional Moroccan mountain feast on Saturday 6
Breakfast, Lunch, and evening meal Sunday 7^th

Booking now on Master Musicians of Joujouka Web Site
For payment by credit transfer please email me for details.
 Places are limited to 75.

If you have any questions please do get in touch. joujouka@gmail.com

 


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Boujeloud, July, 2008 copyright Jill Furmanovsky/Rock Archive

"You Should be Trancin'" Mojo Oct 2008 report on Brian Jones 40th Anniversary Festival in Joujouka Words Mark Paytress  new photos by Jill Furmanovsky/RockArchive PDF

copy and paste the following link in your browser as it will not open from myspace

http://media.mind2hands.com/insom/MJMM01.pdf

Article by Frank Rynne on Brian Jones 40th Anniversary Festival , Irish Times, 22 July, 2008 

Plus

BBC World Service The Beat Report

     Frank
Rynne chats with Anita Pallenberg on Brian Jones, Mark Paytress on
visiting Joujouka, Ahmed Attar leader of the Master Musicians of
Joujouka on the spiritual music of the village and Mallim Ali Abdelslam
El Attar who at 94 is the oldest musician in Joujouka talks about Brian
Jones and the old Mallims who recorded Brian Jones presents the Pipes
of Pan at Joujouka.

All recorded at the Brian Jones 40th Anniversary Festival in Joujouka...

"Forty years ago, guitarist Brian Jones, one of the founders of the British rock band the Rolling Stones, travelled to northern Morocco to record a group known as the Master Musicians of Joujouka. The resulting album, 'Brian Jones Presents the Pipes of Pan at Joujouka',
not only had a lasting effect on the musicians themselves but went on
to become hugely influential after being released on the Rolling Stones
own record label. We hear from Frank Rynne, a record producer and historian who recently visited Joujouka to record the Brian Jones 40th Anniversary Festival."

BBC World Service Report From The Beat

To download or play Clip Click here