Lent Festival: Majid Bekkas – Nguyên Lê – Hamid Drake: Gnawa World Blues

Three continents, three musical citizens of the world – in one super group! Moroccan-born Majid Bekkas, French-based Vietnamese guitar virtuoso Nguyên Lê and one of the most sought-after drummers of our time, Chicago-based Hamid Drake, combine their musicality and global experiences in an exciting combination of desert blues, transcendental Gnawa music, Eastern European jazz, 1960s rock music and Eastern serenity.

The combination of musicians is so exciting that one involuntarily thinks of Joe Zawinul's world-class musical legacy. Voice, oud and guembri (note: both are Arabic lutes), an electric guitar that resonates in a wide spectrum of dazzling sounds, and a drum kit on the border between subtlety and unbridled energy - these are the tools of three unique musicians in the world.

Majid Bekkas has revolutionized the way we look at the musical tradition of the Gnawa minority in Morocco, while collaborating with jazz greats such as Joachim Kühn, Archie Shepp and Pharoah Sanders. Nguyên Lê is an exceptional guitarist, but also probably one of the more overlooked names in the world of contemporary jazz, and Hamid Drake is one of the most respected drummers in jazz for at least the last 30 years (Don Cherry, Herbie Hancock, Ken Vandermark, Fred Anderson, David Murray, etc.).

Even more surprising is the repertoire of this super group: it ranges from traditional Moroccan melodies to the blues classics of John Lee Hooker (Boom boom) and the psychedelic rock of Jimi Hendrix (Purple Haze). An exciting, emotional and powerful musical experience that will remain in your memory for a long time.

Tickets: €20 per seat (until 24 June) / €25 per seat (from 25 June);
for students and pupils: €5 discount on each ticket.

Three plus package
When you purchase tickets for at least three different events from the JazzLent series, we give you a 20% discount on the total purchase value.

Visa OTP personal cardholders can purchase tickets for the Lent Festival 2026 at a 10% discount. The discount is valid for purchases made up to and including April 30th.

Individual discounts are not available in conjuction with other discounts or special offers.

More about discounts, special offers and purchasing tickets.

*The event will be held in any weather. As we want to enable all visitors to enjoy the event and have a good view of the stage, opening umbrellas on the venue is not allowed. We recommend appropriate footwear and clothing for the weather.

Performed by:
Majid Bekkas, guembri, oud, vocals
Nguyên Lê, electric guitar, vocals
Hamid Drake, drums, percussion, vocals

Organizer: Narodni dom Maribor