Gallatin Street Records to Release “Caravan: From Marrakech to New Orleans” a full-length album by Mahmoud Chouki
Artwork by Emilie Rhys.
CONTACT: Ewa Blecharczyk
Phone: (773) 329-0631
New Orleans Jazz Museum/Gallatin Street Records
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MAHMOUD CHOUKI
“Caravan – From Marrakech to New Orleans”
World-Music Album out now via Gallatin Street Records
Global Sound Features Legends of New Orleans Jazz
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“A New Orleanian, Born in Morocco”
READ: Nola.com feature
“Mahmoud Chouki is a Moroccan musician who found
a new home in New Orleans Jazz”
NEW ORLEANS, JULY 22, 2024 – The New Orleans Jazz Museum’s Gallatin Street Records is thrilled to release “Caravan: From Marrakech to New Orleans” a full-length album by Mahmoud Chouki, Moroccan string virtuoso and innovative composer currently residing in New Orleans. Chouki calls the album a love letter to the city that welcomed him, and it features a host of New Orleans’ most iconic jazz musicians. Chouki and an all-star ensemble will celebrate the release with two shows at Snug Harbor on July 25, 626 Frenchmen Street, New Orleans.
“We explore music as a language that speaks across cultural divides. The album reflects my journey from North Africa, the Middle East and Spain to my musical home here in the Crescent City,” said Chouki. The “Caravan” project will also release a documentary film telling Chouki’s story of falling in love with New Orleans and the making of the album.
Recorded at New Orleans Jazz Museum for its Gallatin Street Records label, “Caravan” was produced by Jamison Ross and incorporates interpretations of jazz standards with Chouki’s original music. Museum director, Greg Lambousy, feels the album is rooted in the deep heritage of cultural pluralism that defines New Orleans. “Jazz enriches with each cultural element it embraces. Mahmouds’s album and his contributions reflect on New Orleans as an innovative hub for world music,” he said.
After receiving acclaim from audiences across the globe, Chouki ventured to New Orleans eight years ago where he discovered Frenchmen Street’s dynamic club scene. He heard “real live jazz in person for the first time” and he was astonished. He explained, “And then these wonderful musicians welcomed me to join them although I did not speak English.” But Chouki’s talent spoke volumes. His musicianship and singular style were at once appreciated. Chouki continues to perform at a variety of venues with ensembles that highlight his Moroccan-cool compositions, brilliance on guitar, stunning improvisational skills, and charming charisma. On this album, he plays oud, guitar and banjo. Through numerous gigs and sessions, Chouki crossed paths with the stellar array of musicians who appear on “Caravan,” including Herlin Riley, Jason Marsalis, Dr. Michael White, and John Boutte (full list below).
Mahmoud Chouki
In 2023, Chouki performed “St. James Infirmary” with multi-Grammy winner Jon Batiste at Palais Elysee for the French president as part of the Jazz International initiative of the New Orleans Jazz Museum. He won the “Best Emerging Artist” award by OffBeat Magazine’s annual Best of the Beat Awards in 202s0 (see video) and Gambit Weekly's "Best World Music Artist'' at the annual 2022 Big Easy Awards. Chouki’s commissions include “Oud Concerto for New Orleans” performed by the New Orleans Chamber Ensemble to celebrate the reopening of the Marigny Opera House after a covid hiatus. He received accolades for composing the original soundtrack for the 2021 Sundance Award winning film, “Ma Belle, Ma Beauty,” which won the audience award. He is also the music curator for the New Orleans Museum of Art.
VIDEO OF SINGLE “Mahmoud’s Blues”
Track list
Safar
Angelica featuring Jason Marsalis
Egyptian Fantasy
Caravan featuring Herlin Riley
My Little Blue Suede featuring Ricardo Pascal
Nevertheless featuring Detroit Brooks
Mahmoud’s Blues (single)
St. James Infirmary
Treme Song featuring John Boutte
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
400 Esplanade Avenue, New Orleans 70116
(504) 568-6993
INTERVIEWS:
Mahmoud Chouki
(504) 435-7622
Email: Mahmoud.chouki@gmail.com
Follow on Instagram: mahmoudchouki