LIVE | Abdel Grooz (Algeria) on Day 3 of SzB2026

Rooted in a lineage of gnaoua masters, Abdel Grooz was born in Béchar, Algeria, into a family where music flows through generations. Starting with the guembri at age six, Grooz has expanded his artistry to percussion, vocals, composition, and bass, weaving the sacred rhythms of gnaoua with a vibrant fusion of jazz, funk, reggae, and blues. By his teens, he was already touring internationally with his family’s ensemble, Gâada Diwan Béchar. At 18, he launched his solo project, Grooz—a nod to groove and jazz—in Algiers. In 2016, Grooz relocated to Montreal, quickly immersing himself in the city’s dynamic music scene, performing within his first week and assembling his band shortly thereafter. His debut album East-West (2019) unveiled his unique blend of North African tradition and global sounds, followed by Zarbia (2022), a rhythmic homage to Senegalese grooves. Grooz’s collaborations span a wide spectrum of artists including Djely Tapa, Nicolas Pellerin, ILAM, Zale Seck, Salamate Gnawa, Melissa Laveaux, Meryem Saci, and Moroccan guembri master Fourat Koyo—melding gnaoua’s spiritual pulse with funk and jazz textures. In addition to performing, Grooz serves as music director for Cirque Kalabanté Productions and leads production for Montreal’s Festival du Monde Arabe and Festival Orientalys. A tireless international performer, he has brought his electrifying sound to stages across Africa, Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Currently, Abdel Grooz is shaping a new studio album, set for release in 2026—a project born of extensive travels, deep collaborations, and continuous evolution.