Trans Sahara Electro

Step into the world of Trans Sahara Electro, where electronic beats merge with North African, Eastern, and Arabic sounds to create a hypnotic, multidimensional live experience. Under the artistic direction of Efe Erdem (DeDeXgrande), this innovative project travels across festivals and stages in the Netherlands and beyond.

During the performance, Efe takes charge of the live electronics, composing and improvising on the spot, complemented by his impressive trombone playing. Other musicians from Marmoucha Orchestra and special guest Aziz Ozouss join in live, with vocals, percussion, guitar, and traditional North African instruments.

The musical concept is inspired by Efe’s fascination with the historical Trans-Saharan Route, stretching from Casablanca to Cairo. This trade route not only brought cultural richness but also bears a dark history, particularly due to the extensive slave trade — a black page in history. The layered nature of these contrasting elements resonates through the music, enriched by the personal interpretations the various musicians bring to the performance.

Blending North African grooves, world music, and electro beats, Marmoucha Orchestra creates a sizzling, innovative, and highly danceable sound. Visual projections enhance the narrative and bring North African cultures to life. Music, visuals, and social awareness merge into a unique show that stimulates the senses and powerfully conveys pressing themes like climate change and sustainability.

Clubnight with DJ Arabella Memdouh and DJ Darno

After the live performance of Trans Sahara Electro, the night seamlessly flows into a vibrant club setting, with DJ sets that perfectly match the mood and themes of the concert.

• Arabella Memdouh (one of 3voor12’s “DJs to watch” in 2024) kicks things off with an energetic blend of Arabic influences, psychedelic grooves, and electronic beats.
• She’s followed by Darno, bringing his signature sound, known from The Gardens of Babylon and Café De Anatolia.

Together, they’ll set the stage for an unforgettable, immersive club night!

Aziz Ozouss

Aziz Ozouss, hailing from Biougra in Morocco’s Souss region, is a virtuoso of the taloutart and an expressive vocalist. Rooted in the Rways tradition yet constantly seeking new horizons, he weaves authentic Amazigh melodies into Trans Sahara Electro with modern influences such as jazz, rock, world music, and Gnawa, creating a seamless bridge between cultural heritage and contemporary sounds through his playing and voice.

DeDeXgrande (Efe Erdem)

Efe Erdem is a versatile trombonist and producer based in Rotterdam. Since completing his studies, he has built an impressive career. He now teaches trombone at Codarts Rotterdam (where he also studied himself) and collaborates with many leading artists, such as Candy Dulfer, Re:Freshed Orchestra, Di-rect, Doe Maar, and Anouk, as well as international icons like Marcus Miller, Tony Allen, and Roy Hargrove.

With his latest project, DeDeXgrande, he brings together his passion for electronic music, jazz, and world music in a unique, boundary-pushing sound. He recently shared his vision in a candid episode of the NPO series Op de Planken, where he demonstrated how he fuses electronic music and world fusion with Eastern influences.