In 2022, a new chapter in Saïd Tichiti’s musical life has opened: under a new name, with a new sound and new collaborators, he continues on the path he has been on for more than two decades. In his latest project, ancient Gnawa, Shaabi and Hassan songs meet Western genres such as dub, funk and psychedelic rock. By evoking the aesthetics of these modern genres and leaving room for improvisation and experimentation, he pushes the ancient desert traditions to new horizons.
Said was born in the south of Morocco to a Berber mother and a black African father. He arrived in Hungary in 1998, where he founded his band Chalaban with local musicians 1 year later. Chalaban’s music organically blends Afro-Arab and Central European musical influences and instrumentation.
During their 20 years of existence, they have released 6 albums, played numerous concerts in Hungary, Europe and Morocco, and have done a great deal to promote the different Moroccan musical genres in Hungary and Central Europe. And to crown the period, they completed a highly successful month-long tour of North America, visiting major cities from New York and Los Angeles, through Chicago, Montreal and San Francisco to New Orleans.

MEMBERS:
Saïd Chalaban – Ene, guembri, oud and percussion
András Kálmán – keyboards
Ádám Mészáros – guitar
András Koroknay – bass guitar
Zsolt Krecsmáry – drums