Hassan Hakmoun (Arabic: حسن حكمون‎) (b. 1963 in Marrakech) started performing on the streets of Marrakech, Morocco, as a child. Subsequently he performed for Gnawa Ceremonies, which are known for spiritual healing and trance. He soon became the "Lead Musician" of his group, learning all the music and instruments by heart, including the Santir, a three string, long necked lute. Hassan made his Western debut in 1987 at Lincoln Center, New York. Since then, Hassan and his music has been selected by Rolling Stone as one of the "Hot Picks of `94". He topped the charts with his albums "The Fire Within", "Gift of the Gnawa", and "Trance" on the World Music Albums, World Music Charts Europe, New World, and CMJ Radio Top 150. He won "The Album of the Year" in 2003 from the AFIM Indie Awards for the album, "The Gift". He performed at WOODSTOCK `94 and on the WOMAD`94 tour with Peter Gabriel. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.