Cheikh Mohamed El-Basri — Guardian of Blida's Andalusian Music
Cheikh Mohamed El-Basri was born in Blida on 30 April 1933. He entered the musical world in 1964 and trained dozens of students in Andalusian and Chaâbi traditions after enrolling at the Municipal Conservatory. He passed away on 13 April 2001.
15 November 2025
Cheikh Mohamed El-Basri was born in Blida on 30 April 1933. Over a career spanning nearly four decades, he became a vital link in the chain of transmission of Blida's Andalusian and Chaâbi musical traditions.
Entry into Music
El-Basri entered the musical world in 1964 by joining the artistic circle of Abderrahmane Benachour — one of the leading figures of Blida's classical music scene. This mentorship shaped his approach to both performance and pedagogy.
In 1970, he enrolled at the Municipal Conservatory of Blida, deepening his technical and theoretical training in the Andalusian tradition.
Teaching Legacy
Following the death of Benachour in 1976, El-Basri assumed the mantle of continuing his mentor's legacy. He trained numerous students who went on to join major Algerian musical associations, including:
- El-Widadia
- Nedjma
- El-Fen wel-Adab
- Riadh El-Andalous
- El-Adabia
Through these students, his influence extended far beyond his own performances.
Recordings and Performances
He performed extensively throughout his career and released an audio cassette titled "Ana el warda el meskina" — a work that encapsulates the delicate, introspective quality of Blida's classical music.
Legacy
Cheikh Mohamed El-Basri passed away shortly after returning from Islamic pilgrimage in 2001. His life's work — teaching, performing, preserving — helped keep the flame of Blida's Andalusian heritage burning through the late 20th century.