Name: JOUWALA COLLECTIVE
Start: 2026-05-28T20:00:00-04:00
Location: 3108 West Cary Street, Richmond, VA, United States, Virginia 23221

JOUWALA COLLECTIVE
SHOW NOTES
Admission: $25
Doors: 6:00pm
Music: 8:00pm
21+ / 16+ must be accompanied by an adult
Reserved seating.
Tickets: https://www.revelerexperiences.com/event/jouwala-collective-05282026
A soulful fusion of ancient African Gnawa roots music and modern, vibrant grooves featuring the exquisite bass tones of the gimbri.
Jouwala Collective forges a unique path merging deeply rooted traditional sounds with their generation's groove. "JoCo" blends World Music, traditional African and spiritual songs characterized by gnawa trance and rhythms, with modern influences of funk, jam, jazz, rock, soul, reggae, dub, blues, latin, chaabi and electronic. Hauntingly beautiful synth notes create a soft background over instruments a world away. The resulting atmosphere of spiritual healing sounds and dynamic drum rhythms keep your feet moving while the overall sound holds you in a dreamlike trance.
Now on the road for several years, and notable appearances with The Wailers, Turkuaz, Pimps of Joy time, Dopapod, Toubab Krewe, and Tauk to name a few, Jouwalla Collective has become a symbol for joy through the exploration of music and ethnicity. A youthful energy mixed with an almost ethereal touch that moves the mind as much as the body. From a standing ovation in the Moroccan Embassy in Washington, DC to raging crowds at New Orleans Jazz fest “JoCo” is a must-see-to-believe experience which would explain the surge in its growing fan base. With their upcoming album debut, Bazaar the band has decided to make a very ambitious statement with their music and prepares to go on the road to share it.
Founder and bandleader Ismail Bouzidoune is a Gnawa musician, gembre player, and bassist whose work bridges ancestral Moroccan traditions with contemporary global sounds. Born and raised in Casablanca, Morocco, he began playing Gnawa music at the age of 11. Immersed in Gnawa culture from a young age, Ismail learned the foundations of the tradition. At the heart of Ismail’s musical journey is a commitment to preserving and honoring Gnawa tradition while bringing people together through peace and love. Through rhythm and chant, his work reflects a deep belief in music as a unifying and healing force, one that connects souls across cultures, backgrounds, and generations, and affirms music’s power to heal the soul and create shared human connection.
The collective for this performance includes: Ismail Bouzidoune (gembre/bass/vocals); Gabriel McFarland (guitar); Kevin Johnson (drums); and Tommy Booker (keyboards).