Fattah Abbou was born and raised in the High Atlas mountains of Morocco before moving to Marrakech to attend the university. He is proficient in several string instruments, including banjo, lotar, oud, sintir, Ribab and an array of percussive instruments. Fattah has been studying Tamazight (Berber) music vocally and instrumentally to include various styles of music from Morocco for over twenty five years.
He began performing since the age of twelve, has recorded several cds with his former band Imdiazen and several collaborative recordings with national and international artists. He is co-founder and lead singer of the California based North African band, AZA, producer of several cultural events, and recipient of multiple grant awards for traditional arts and the preservation of indigenous culture. Considered a master musician in North African music, he has provided formal instruction privately and collectively. He has presented at many American universities, produced two cds with the band AZA. He has performed nationally and internationally.
