Tunisia
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Cheikh El Afrit
Tunis, Tunisia
Archival Overview
Renowned Tunisian Jewish singer and oud virtuoso whose mastery of Andalusian malouf, witty popular songs, and soulful delivery made him a legendary fixture of the royal Bardo court and 1930s café culture.
Biographical Record
Born Issim Israel Rozzio in the Jewish quarter (Hara) of Tunis, he gained the nickname El Afrit (The Genie of Music) in homage to his astounding vocal agility and uncanny melodic memory.
Performing regularly before Ahmad II Bey at the palace and in popular cafés, he recorded nearly five hundred 78-rpm shellac discs in Paris and Tunis, preserving precious traditional songs that bridged Muslim and Jewish Tunisian heritage.
Key Life Milestones
Court Musician to the Beys of Tunis
Selected to perform weekly at the Bardo Palace, becoming the favored court singer of Ahmad II Bey.
Court Musician to the Beys of Tunis
Selected to perform weekly at the Bardo Palace, becoming the favored court singer of Ahmad II Bey.
Court Musician to the Beys of Tunis
Selected to perform weekly at the Bardo Palace, becoming the favored court singer of Ahmad II Bey.
Historic Gramophone Recordings in Paris
Recorded over one hundred classical and chaabi songs with Pathé and Gramophone, immortalizing Tunisian malouf.
Historic Gramophone Recordings in Paris
Recorded over one hundred classical and chaabi songs with Pathé and Gramophone, immortalizing Tunisian malouf.
Historic Gramophone Recordings in Paris
Recorded over one hundred classical and chaabi songs with Pathé and Gramophone, immortalizing Tunisian malouf.
Memorial Guestbook & Tributes
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Final Resting Place
Perpetual MemorialTunis, Tunisia