Streets of Morocco
“There are no better examples of diplomacy than what Michael Miles has brought to Morocco.” - Samuel Kaplan, US Ambassador to Morocco
“People could feel it from your heart, we could read in your eyes, respect for our music. Once you respect them, they appreciate themselves more in Morocco.”
- Abdelkrim Raddadi, US State Dept.
In 2008, Michael Miles led a concert tour through Morocco accompanied by Tony Dale on drums, and collaborating with Abdelilah el Miry on violin, Haj Younes on oud, the Houriyate women singers, and a number of other Moroccan musicians.
Miles describes the most recent Moroccan trip this way, “ For 8 whirlwind days, we travelled the country. We brought our own blend of original works and American music with banjo, guitar, drums and vocal harmonies. Once in Morocco we started meeting and performing with Moroccan musicians. We listened, we played, we spoke through interpreters, and we found a common ground.
"We took our common ground out to the Moroccan public--who saw this example of shared music & values, and a different view of America.
"We had scheduled exchanges and rehearsals with Moroccan musicians who taught us their music and encouraged us to perform it with them. These were ancient musical traditions, centuries old. In the world of traditional music, in the world of political upheaval, this was treasured privilege to be cherished forever." - Michael Miles
“For many in the audiences Michael Miles and Tony Dale were the first Americans they had ever experienced. They are ambassadors through music.” - Elizabeth Millard, US Counsel General
TOUR STATISTICS
1. 9198 miles travelled from Chicago through five Moroccan citiesMarakesh, Meknes, Casablanca, Khourigba, Beni Mellal
2. 11 musical collaborators: Abdelilah el Miry on violin, hajuj, gimbre; Haj Younes, oud; Nasser Ouari, oud; Ahmed Naji, bass Louthar; M’hamed Damou, Louthar; Abdellah Anid, bowed rabab; and the Houariyate Women singers & percussionists.
3. 2000 people in audiences at 7 different venues including concert halls, schools, an orphanage, a school for the blind, and community centers.
