# Event Details - **Event Name**: 'Cutting Keys' - Maalem Youssef & Taylor Higgs GNAWA FUSION ~ March 14th ~ St. Marks Church - **Event Start and End Date**: Sat, 14 Mar, 2026 at 06:30 pm - **Event Description**: Maalem Youssef Jandouk from Essaouira, Morocco will be travelling to the UK to join Taylor Higgs for very special performance of Gnawa Fusion. Gnawa music is a Moroccan genre of Spiritual Trance Music that fuses religious and musical traditions with Arab-Muslim and Amazigh influences. Originating from Saharan Africans brought to Morocco, it is known for its hypnotic rhythms, spiritual lyrics, and unique instruments like the three-stringed Gambre and large iron castanets called Karkabas. The music is often associated with healing rituals and has gained significant national and international recognition. 'Maalem' - In the context of Gnawa music, Maalem refers to a master musician and spiritual leader who guides the group during healing ceremonies known as "lila" similar to that of the priest in gospel music. Taylor spent time with Maalem Youssef in the hills of Essaouira, Morocco in early 2025 learning about the music and traditions of Gnawa and recording a E.P involving western instrumentation to create a fusion of genres including blues and flamenco to the Gnawa sound Maalem Youssef spent his childhood surrounded by renowned masters of Gnawa music and was raised into the culture throughout his life. He is a master craftsman of the instruments involved, as well as a master musician and traditional dancer. *Bring your own drinks* Traditional Moroccan Mint Tea will be available on the night (with or without alcohol) This will truly be a special night of music and an experience you will never forget ?????????? Event Details Doors Open at 6:00PM Starts at 6:30PM Location St. Marks church, westcliff, Essex, SS1 1QA Ticket Link: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/tdm/t-oelnyvy General Admission: £14.00 Pre- show Meet & Greet 'An introduction to Gnawa: £25.00 *This ticket allows you to join an exclusive audience at the venue before the event for a 1-hour personal meet and greet with Maalem Youssef. He will present an up close demonstration & explanation of the music, history and culture of Gnawa and you will have the oportunity to try the traditional instruments, Including traditional Moroccan Mint Tea (with/without alcohol) - starting at 4pm This ticket also includes entrance to the concert in the evening. - Only 16 places available - - **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/southend-on-sea/cutting-keys-maalem-youssef-and-taylor-higgs-gnawa-fusion-~-march-14th-~-st-marks-church/200029242037323 - **Event Categories**: music, entertainment, concerts, nonprofit, meet-and-greet, meetups, live-music - **Interested Audience**: - total_interested_count: 38 ## Ticket Details - **Ticket URL**: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/tdm/t-oelnyvy?utm_source=AllEvents.in&utm_medium=event-discovery-platform&utm_campaign=southend-on-sea-events ## Event venue details - **city**: Southend-on-sea - **state**: EN - **country**: United Kingdom - **location**: St Mark's Church, Hamlet Road, Westcliff on Sea, SS11HY - **lat**: 51.53671 - **long**: 0.70524 - **full address**: St Mark's Church, Hamlet Road, Westcliff on Sea, SS11HY, 72 Hamlet Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS1 1HH, United Kingdom, Southend-on-sea ## Event gallery - **Alt text**: 'Cutting Keys' - Maalem Youssef & Taylor Higgs GNAWA FUSION ~ March 14th ~ St. Marks Church - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events2/banners/f632ef301252fa443d96dc7c451aff8e182a84ba37f0a45e9cc18e7dd4ee6666-rimg-w1200-h799-dc490203-gmir?v=1769710221 ## FAQs - **Q**: When and where is 'Cutting Keys' - Maalem Youssef & Taylor Higgs GNAWA FUSION ~ March 14th ~ St. Marks Church being held? - **A:** 'Cutting Keys' - Maalem Youssef & Taylor Higgs GNAWA FUSION ~ March 14th ~ St. Marks Church takes place on Sat, 14 Mar, 2026 at 06:30 pm to Sat, 14 Mar, 2026 at 06:30 pm at St Mark's Church, Hamlet Road, Westcliff on Sea, SS11HY, 72 Hamlet Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS1 1HH, United Kingdom, Southend-on-sea. - **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me? - **A:** 'Cutting Keys' - Maalem Youssef & Taylor Higgs GNAWA FUSION ~ March 14th ~ St. Marks Church is ideal for music lovers, fans of all genres, and anyone who wants to celebrate the power of music - from intimate gigs and live sessions to festivals and cultural performances. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Southend-on-sea, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If 'Cutting Keys' - Maalem Youssef & Taylor Higgs GNAWA FUSION ~ March 14th ~ St. Marks Church sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast. ## Structured Data (JSON-LD) ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "MusicEvent", "name": "'Cutting Keys' - Maalem Youssef & Taylor Higgs GNAWA FUSION ~ March 14th ~ St. Marks Church", "image": "https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events2/banners/f632ef301252fa443d96dc7c451aff8e182a84ba37f0a45e9cc18e7dd4ee6666-rimg-w1200-h799-dc490203-gmir?v=1769710221", "startDate": "2026-03-14", "url": "https://allevents.in/southend-on-sea/cutting-keys-maalem-youssef-and-taylor-higgs-gnawa-fusion-~-march-14th-~-st-marks-church/200029242037323", "location": { "@type": "Place", "name": "St Mark's Church, Hamlet Road, Westcliff on Sea, SS11HY", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "72 Hamlet Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS1 1HH, United Kingdom", "addressLocality": "Southend-on-sea", "addressRegion": "EN", "addressCountry": "GB" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": "51.53671", "longitude": "0.70524" } }, "eventAttendanceMode": "https://schema.org/OfflineEventAttendanceMode", "description": "Maalem Youssef Jandouk from Essaouira, Morocco will be travelling to the UK to join Taylor Higgs for very special performance of Gnawa Fusion.\n\nGnawa music is a Moroccan genre of Spiritual Trance Music that fuses religious and musical traditions with Arab-Muslim and Amazigh influences. 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