Friday, 15 November 2024

Piping in Marrakesh - Jimi's first performances in Africa.

 


 

Jimi is back home in Scotland after his first ever piping performance in Africa - at the wedding of Scotsman Drew Munro and his Moroccan bride Imane at the prestigious Beli Country Club in Marrakesh.     

Jimi was on good form piping for the bride and groom and entertaining guests at the all day ceremony. Many Moroccan musicians both traditional and contemporary also participated.

Bride Imane said: "We loved having Jimi at our wedding. He made our dream wedding come true. 

She added: "The Country Club mentioned that it was the first time they had bagpipes in the place. We made history!"

Groom Drew, originally from Edinburgh and now based in Dubai, said: "It was really great having Jimi at our wedding and hearing him play. Absolutely fantastic. It could not have gone any better and I'm sure it will be talked about by both families for quite a while."

As well as piping at Imane and Drew's wedding, Jimi also fulfilled a lifelong ambition by 'striking up' in Marrakesh's famous 'Jemaa el-Fnaa' - the main square and market place of the city. (see pics above)

"The city and its famous 'Medina' have been a mecca for western musicians for decades" said Jimi. "There are plenty stories of how the Rolling Stones, Donovan and The Beatles hung out there in the late 1960s.

"More recently Jimmy Page and Robert Plant from Led Zeppelin did an impromtu busking gig there late 1990s/early 2000s. It's a terrific, colourful place with lots of live music especially after sundown. I had to give the pipes a skirl there." 

Jimi said everyone seemed to enjoy his short performance, particularly the local snake charmers.

"A couple kindly offered me a loan of their pet cobras for dancing " he added. I politely declined."

More pics and videos from the Medina and Imane and Drew's wedding in due course.

Thank you. 


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