One of the most popular rhythms that comes from Morocco is Gnawa music and I have known it since 2004 when I heard Djamel Laroussi and his band for the first time. In 2024 I played for the first time with a band that plays the essence of these Gnawa rhythms with these Qaraqib.
The Café Casablanca in Taunusstraße / Cologne (Humboldt Gremberg) is an institution in Cologne’s North African oasis and has even brought out a wonderful session band. Leyla’s Freunde play Arabic songs with funk, soul and a bit of fresh Moroccan mint!
Band Members
| Abdel Kader | Vocals, Darburka & Qaraqib |
| Andreas Haentjes | E-Gitarre |
| Birgit Haentjes | E-Bass |
| Lorenzo Thomson | Djembe |
Guest Musicians
| Abdelghani | Calabassa & Qaraqib |
| Khaled Fes Jdid | Backing Vocals |
