Cheikh Bachir Zerrouki: Témoignages des maîtres Dr Yahia Ghoul & Dr. Amine Kalfat

Sheikh El Hadj Bachir Zerrouki (June 13, 1924 – July 20, 2004) Tribute On this day of commemoration, we invite you to rediscover the invaluable testimonies of scholars Dr. Yahia Ghoul (may God have mercy on him) and Dr. Amine Kalfat, broadcast on May 31, 2007, on the program "Ahl El Andalous," which was brilliantly prepared and presented by Mokhtar Allal on Radio Oran. These are testimonies that we felt were important to preserve for the collective memory, with the approval of our friend Mokhtar Allal, whom we thank. 🎙️ From Houston, where he resided, Dr. Yahia Ghoul spoke by phone about the fundamental role of Sheikh Bachir Zerrouki in his own education and the work of the Nassim El Andalous association. This was an opportunity for him to honor the memory of his mentor, while also paying tribute to his friends, Doctors Amine Mesli (may God have mercy on him) and Amine Kalfat. He also reveals that it was to the latter's father, Mahmoud Kalfat (may God have mercy on him), that he owes the learning of several musical pieces, including "Bi Djah Ettidjani," the famous Mdih by Nassim El Andalous, recorded at the RTA (Radio Télévision Algérienne) in Oran in 1977. 🎙️In turn, Dr. Amine Kalfat offers us a more intimate glimpse into the life of his mentor, Sheikh Bachir Zerrouki, and the friendship that bound them. 🎧Audio materials: Mdih: "Ya wassiê el mkhazen" (يا واسع المخازن) by Sheikh Bachir Zerrouki and the Sheikh Larbi Orchestra. May God have mercy on them. Stikhbar Zidane by Sheikh Bachir Zerrouki accompanied by the Nassim El Andalous Orchestra (evening performance in Tlemcen). Enjoy! ------ Born on June 13, 1924, in Tlemcen, Sheikh Bachir Zerrouki was the son of Dillali Zerrouki, a virtuoso pianist who accompanied Sheikha Tetma. From a very young age, he received musical training from his father and Sheikh Omar Bekhchi. His neighbor in Btaïna was the renowned Rouch Makhlouf. In 1949, he joined the Tlemcen radio orchestra, conducted by Sheikh Larbi Bensari, as a musician and soloist. He actively participated in most of Sheikh Larbi's radio recordings. His talent is also immortalized through two appearances on Algerian television: one in Algiers (nouba Ghrib), where he performed a Stikhbar Raml Maya followed by the Nsraf Ghrib "Tadhakket Ghossoun Elliqah"; the other at the Tlemcen madrasa (nouba Hsine), where he played the Nsraf "Min Nadhmihi El Mordjane". Sheikh Larbi greatly contributed to his musical development. An accomplished multi-instrumentalist, he mastered the piano, mandolin, mandola, guitar, and full-length violin. In the 1960s, he settled in Oran and frequented numerous artists and associations. He notably collaborated with Dr. Yahia Ghoul, the late Mohamed Amine Mesli, and the Nassim El Andalous association, accompanying them in several musical performances. He also associated with Dr. Amine Kalfat, president and mandolin player of the Mustapha Belkhodja Association, and his son Rifel. A discreet and profoundly humble man, Sheikh Amine Kalfat told us, Sheikh Bachir Zerrouki avoided all forms of publicity despite the unanimous recognition of his talent. He passed away on July 20, 2004, in Oran, at the age of 80.