A Requiem for Brian Jones – 2019 Master Musicians of Joujouka Festival in pictures

*‘The 4000 Year Old Rock and Roll Band’ – Melody Maker ad for Brian Jones Presents The Pipes of Pan at Joujouka LP*

Last year’s festival in Joujouka was held in memory of The Rolling Stones founder and lead guitarist Brian Jones on the 50^th anniversary of his death on 3rd July 1969.

Brian Jones visited Joujouka in 1968 and recorded the LP Brian Jones Presents The Pipes Of Pan At Joujouka (released on Rolling Stones Records, 1971).

In his liner notes for the LP Jones said: “I don’t know if I have the stamina to endure the incredible strain of the festival.

“What exists here is a specially chosen representation of the type of music which is played and chanted during the festival.”

A Requiem for Brian Jones was held in Joujouka, Morocco from 5th to 7th July 2019.

The village square and mosque in Joujouka

On the opening afternoon of the festival the Master Musicians of Joujouka performed a set of lira and tebel music

Shiekh Ahmed Talha dancing to the Master Musicians of Joujouka

Brian Jones is said to have sat on this rock to listen to the Master Musicians during his visit to Joujouka

The Master Musicians of Joujouka in full flow on the opening evening of the festival

Master Musicians of Joujouka evening performance

The cave of Boujeloud in the distance and Mohamed El Hatmi surveying the scene over the jibil from inside

Breakfast served to guests at the festival. Sunset in Joujouka looking over the Ahl Srif mountains

Marlon Richards, son of The Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards and Anita Pallenberg, followed in his parent’s footsteps by visiting Joujouka for last year’s festival. Pictured here with Master Musicians of Joujouka manager Frank Rynne

Master Musicians of Joujouka group leader Ahmed El Attar at the tomb of Sidi Ahmed Shiekh in Joujouka explaining the healing powers of their sacred Sufi Trance music the mystic brought to the village

The finale of music on the third night of the festival

To experience the sounds of the Master Musicians of Joujouka live at the Festival in their village – check out the Into The Ahl Srif album – recently released for the first time in digital format.

The album is available now to listen and download from the Ergot Records Bandcamp page: ergotrecords.bandcamp.com/album/into-the-ahl-srif

The 2020 edition of the Master Musicians of Joujouka festival has been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the group have been unable to work since March. Proceeds from download sales of the album will be donated to the Master Musicians of Joujouka.

More information about the Into The Ahl Srif album here

For latest news on the 2020 festival and updates on rescheduled dates when available visit here