Making Moroccan jazz in California

For today’s Global Hit, we meet a man named Yassir Chadley. He’s an Imam at a mosque in Oakland, California.

He’s also a swim coach, and once swam for Morocco’s National Team. But first and foremost, Chadley is a musician.

The oud player recently teamed up with acclaimed jazz trumpet player Kahlil Shaheed. They call themselves the Mo’Rockin Project.

They blend popular Moroccan tunes with contemporary jazz. They just released their second album — Tajine.

Yassir Chadley told his story to radio producer Beth Hoffman.