Welcome to the website of Al-Andalus, Tarik & Julia Banzi's site on Contemporary Andalusian Music

"Listeners find themselves simultaneously in past and future."

Learn about the oud and flamenco guitar duo of Tarik & Julia Banzi and their performance group Al-Andalus (since 1988), original artwork by Tarik.
You can also learn about the music and instruments of the historical period of al-andalus (711-1492)

image of arches in Toledo mosque What was/is Al-Andalus? Al-Andalus was a unique moment in world history known as outstanding model of tolerance and functioning multiculturalism, Al-Andalus was that is known for its mutually beneficial symbiosis among peoples which resulted in remarkable artistic, educational, and cultural enlightenments. Learn about the music and instruments of Al-Andalus (711-1492) here.

Tarik & Julia Banzi, oud & flamenco guitar Tarik y Julia Banzi. The core of our performance group Al-Andalus (founded 1987) is the married couple Tarik (Morocco) and Julia (USA) who now make their home between Tangier, Morocco and Portland, Oregon. Similar to the Renaissance that inspires them, they are both scholars, musicians and artists. Tarik completed doctoral studies in Fine Arts and Julia doctoral studies in Ethnomusicology (Ph.D) specializing in Flamenco guitar and Women's Andalusian music. Julia is one of the only female flamenco guitarists worldwide. Their lives reflect their commitment to create peaceful understanding between the East and the West and between North Africa, the United States and Spain. They present historically informed performances of Andalusian works and also create new works, rooted in the Andalusian legacy yet reflective of today's global soundscape. Learn more about the al-andalus ensemble.

Tarik & Julia Banzi and the Al-Andalus ensemble have 4 CD's currently available for purchase online or for digital download. Each CD tells a different story.

covered oud player, original watercolor painting by Tarik Banzi

Tarik Banzi (al-Panzi) is a visual artist from Tetuan, Morocco. You can visit his online gallery of paintings as well as view some of the many projects which he has done both graphic design & recording/mastering.

As an ethnomusicologist, Julia is especially interested in constructing historical ethnographies-that is seeking ways in understanding how the long past influences and shapes present musical changes. The two main geographic areas she explores are North Africa and Spain. Her special interest is the melding of varied cultures and religions (Judaism, Christianity and Islam) converging in Al-Andalus (711-1492). In Morocco, her focus is on women's Andalusian ensembles. In Spain, she has focused on the flamenco guitar tradition and the processes of when, why, and how performance traditions become obsolete. She also enjoys teaching courses on American popular music and culture as well as the business of music and music technology. She is a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar who teaches at Reed College.

al-andalus pictured with Yair Dalal & Yuval Ron ensemble

"A delightful proposition of exquisite music" (El Pais; Madrid, Spain)

In order to keep spammers from harvesting the e-mail address, The direct email link has been removed
The e-mail address: music (at) andalus (dot) com

WWW.ANDALUS.COM