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Morocco “There are no better examples of diplomacy than what Michael Miles has brought to Morocco.”
“People could feel it from your heart, we could read in your eyes, respect for our music. Once you respect them, they appreciate themselves more in Morocco.” In 2008, Michael Miles led a concert tour through Morocco accompanied by Tony Dale on drums, and collaborating with Abdelilah el Miry on violin, Haj Younes on oud, the Houriyate women singers, and a number of other Moroccan musicians. Miles describes the most recent Moroccan trip this way, “ For 8 whirlwind days, we travelled the country. We brought our own blend of original works and American music with banjo, guitar, drums and vocal harmonies. Once in Morocco we started meeting and performing with Moroccan musicians. We listened, we played, we spoke through interpreters, and we found a common ground.
"We took our common ground out to the Moroccan public--who saw this example of shared music & values, and a different view of America.
"We had scheduled exchanges and rehearsals with Moroccan musicians who taught us their music and encouraged us to perform it with them. These were ancient musical traditions, centuries old. In the world of traditional music, in the world of political upheaval, this was treasured privilege to be cherished forever." - Michael Miles
“For many in the audiences Michael Miles and Tony Dale were the first Americans they had ever experienced. They are ambassadors through music.”
1. 9198 miles travelled from Chicago through five Moroccan citiesMarakesh, Meknes, Casablanca, Khourigba, Beni Mellal 2. 11 musical collaborators: Abdelilah el Miry on violin, hajuj, gimbre; Haj Younes, oud; Nasser Ouari, oud; Ahmed Naji, bass Louthar; M’hamed Damou, Louthar; Abdellah Anid, bowed rabab; and the Houariyate Women singers & percussionists. 3. 2000 people in audiences at 7 different venues including concert halls, schools, an orphanage, a school for the blind, and community centers.
The videos on this page outline the artistic collaboration, how Miles was taught by Moroccan musicians, and ultimately how the public in Morocco responded to his presence. "Michael Miles believes in our local culture, respects it, lives it, not for a gig but for a spiritual interaction. Our deepest gratitude to you." |
Michael Miles speaks in Marakesh about the impact of music in our communities. US Ambassador to Morocco, Samuel Kaplan, is in the audience. Michael Miles collaborates with the Houriyate women singers in Marakesh. Michael Miles is taught how to play the tune, "Tabila" by Abdelilah el Miry. Michael Miles performs "Tabila" later the same day as the lesson with a larger ensemble. Michael Miles is taught to play "Bint Shalabia" by Abdelilah el Miry and Nasser Houaria. Michael Miles performs "Bint Shalabia" with Haj Younes on oud, Abdelilah el Miry on violin, and Tony Dale on drums. |
About Michael J. Miles
• Musician
• Composer
• Performing Artist
• Musical Playwright
• Educator
When Pete Seeger first heard Michael Miles, he sent a letter to Michael saying that "in all my 70 years this is among the most beautiful recordings I’ve ever heard...it is enough to make me want to learn the banjo all over again.”
Michael Miles is one of America’s most inventive clawhammer banjo players. Add guitar, vocals, jazz instruments, orchestras and complex historically-themed theatrical presentations to the mix and, two decades later, Michael has a critically acclaimed catalog of original compositions, stage performances, music CD’s and music instruction books.
Michael Miles performance credits include the Kennedy Center, Smithsonian Institution, Ravinia Festival, Harris Theatre in Chicago, American University in Beirut, and the Royal Opera Theatre in Marrakesh.
From 1984-1998, Michael served as the Program Director at the Old Town School of Folk Music bringing the school to international acclaim. Under his guidance the student population grew from 200 students to over 4000. From 2005-2007, Michael was honored as the school's first ever Artist-In-Residence. He remains as active member of the faculty teaching clawhammer banjo and fingerstyle guitar.
With an MA in Music Performance and Pedagogy, Michael is also a music educator whose work ranges from introducing kindergarten students to their earliest musical experiences to leading postgraduate study for professional musicians and music teachers.
Current projects include new fingerstyle guitar arrangements of the Great American Songbook and the works of Stevie Wonder; new compositions for the banjo and expanded ensemble; and new stage productions.
