Japanese documentary film on the Master Musicians of Joujouka now available in English language version.
The Master Musicians of Joujouka feature documentary film Joujouka Morocco Sound Tripis now available to stream online.
An English language version of the film, broadcast earlier this year in Japan, can be viewed via NHK World-Japan On Demand.
The film is an edited version of the original 90 minute show that aired in January on NHK in Japan.
The documentary, directed by Yoriko Koizumi, was shot over three weeks in October 2022 and features fully immersive 360° sound and vision.
Show producers said: “Sound Trip is a wonderful new travelogue program that uses immersive 360-degree, three-dimensional sound technology. This time, we visit Morocco where a magical festival in the hidden village of Joujouka has been held for more than 1,000 years. Villagers believe that the music of Joujouka has barakah, or a blessing power that can heal the soul. Join Sound Trip to discover what makes Joujouka so unique.
“Sound Trip is a new travelogue program using the “Immersive Audio” sound technology bringing you to the magical trip. We explore some of the world’s most intriguing destinations, Morocco, with 360 degrees’ three-dimensional sound.”
Watch Joujouka Morocco Sound Trip on NHK World-Japan On Demand here
Joujouka 23
The 2023 Master Musicians of Joujouka festival takes place from 2-4 June with last few remaining tickets still available
Boujeloud at the Master Musicians of Joujouka festival – photo Syd Howells
The micro festival held at the Master Musicians of Joujouka’s home in Morocco given Guinness World Records accolade.
The annual festival held in Joujouka since 2008 has been recognised by Guinness World Records as the smallest music festival.
The self-styled “micro festival” has a limited capacity of 50 guests, at which the Master Musicians are not just the headline act, but also the only group on the lineup.
A statement from Guinness World Records said: “The Master Musicians of Joujouka Festival takes place every June in the village of Joujouka, in the Ahl Srif tribal area of northern Morocco, nestled in the foothills of the Rif Mountains. The three-day extravaganza has been running since 2008, and the number of invited guests is strictly limited to 50. Revellers experience the Masters playing their unique brand of Sufi trance music – used in the healing of “disturbed minds” – that has been at the heart of their secluded community for more than 1,000 years. Visitors are hosted by the Masters in their own homes, with food and drink provided throughout. Tickets also include transport from and back to Ksar El Kebir railway station. The next festival will take place over the weekend of 2–4 June 2023.
“The Master Musicians of Joujouka have played with a number of Western musicians, most notably the Rolling Stones founder and guitarist Brian Jones. The release of Brian Jones Presents the Pipes of Pan at Joujouka (1971) followed his death in 1969. It features a performance by Jones alongside the Masters in the Moroccan village on 29 July 1968, and was instrumental in introducing the group’s music to a worldwide audience.
“The Masters’ discography includes Joujouka Black Eyes (1995) and Boujeloud (2006), and their Live in Paris LP was released as recently as April 2021. Collaborators include Jane’s Addiction, The Orb and Ornette Coleman.
“In 2011, the Master Musicians of Joujouka opened proceedings on the Pyramid Stage at the UK’s Glastonbury Festival, where the likes of Wu-Tang Clan, BB King, Morrissey and headliners U2 performed later that same day.”
The Master Musicians of Joujouka receive this unlikely honour, though not without some contentious competition.
As Guinness World Records clarified: “Hunter’s The World’s Smallest Festival, a touring portaloo that was based at the boot retailer’s flagship Regent Street store in London in 2016, and Klarafestival 2019, a “concert in a box” large enough for only three people, a piano and a performing musician that toured venues in Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp in Belgium, have both claimed to be the world’s smallest festival but have not been considered as rivals to the Master Musicians of Joujouka Festival owing to their strictly limited capacities and their contrived, nomadic existence.”
Joujouka 23 will take place in Morocco from 2-4 June 2023.
The last few remaining tickets for the Master Musicians of Joujouka annual Festival in their village, with capacity limited to 50 places, are available now.
The festival begins on Friday, 2nd June 2023 with pick up at the nearest city of Ksar El Kebir around noon and with drop-off on the morning of Monday, 5th June back to the train station at Ksar El Kebir.
Ticket price includes pick up at Ksar El Kebir, accommodation, three meals a day and drop-off on 5th June.
Also included is three days and nights of music and a full immersion into the Joujouka experience.
Guests stay with Master Musicians and their families.
Performances are held at the Madrassa of the Master Musicians of Joujouka in their village in the Ahl Srif mountains of Morocco.
