Belgian-Tunisian Ghalia Benali is a singer, actress, writer and visual artist. Once nicknamed ‘the Aretha Franklin of Carthage’ by Philippe Catherine, Benali sings in classical Arabic, but her compositions draw on a wide range of influences, from Arabic folk music to jazz, contemporary lounge and Indian classical music. Like Aretha Franklin, she has a voice rooted in soul and freedom, where intensity, presence and spiritual strength are inseparable.

With her graceful and magical voice, Ghalia seems to move effortlessly between different genres and cultural traditions. With the programme Hadret Ishq حضرة عشق, Ghalia offers an anthology of the immense and rich repertoire of Sufi poets, ranging from the oldest texts to contemporary voices, emphasising Sufism as a way of life, much more than a simple belief.

Benali makes her magnificent voice resonate, sigh and undulate to the harmonies laid down by double bassist Vincent Noiret. Alongside them, oud player Moufadhel Adhoum brings forth an infinite number of subtle melodies. Together, these three artists celebrate ancient musical laws with lightness, combining simplicity and refinement and following the path of love, beauty and desire.

Ghalia Benali: vocals and compositions
Moufadhel Adhoum: oud
Vincent Noiret:  contrabass

As part of Women of The World in partnership with Le Senghor.