Promoters Isabel Soffer and Danny Melnick continue to tap into their deep connections to the world music scene to bring in exotic artists from around the globe for intimate concerts at Ulster County venue The Local. A fine example of the booking mavens’ work this month is the April 17 appearance by Moroccan psychedelic rock band Bab L’Bluz.
The group, whose name translates to “the Gate to the Blues,” was founded in Marrakech in 2017 by Moroccan singer and awisha (three-stringed Moroccan lute) player Yousra Mansour and French guimbri (three-stringed Moroccan bass lute) player and producer Brice Bottin.
Bab L’Bluz’s style crosses the inspiration of traditional Moroccan gnawa music (religious songs and rhythms that emerged in the 16th and 17th centuries) with 1960s and ’70s Western rock, blues, and Afro-rock sounds. The quartet’s second album, Swaken, was released in 2024.
Bab L’Bluz will perform at The Local in Saugerties on April 17 at 7pm. The show will feature live visuals by area projection artist B.A. Miele. Tickets are $35.44. [eventarchive-1]
The Local
This article appears in April 2025.
