Formed in the late '90s, Fantazia emerged from multicultural Hackney, N.E. London, with their unique blend of North African and other influences, rapidly establishing themselves as a distinctive voice on the British music scene. Their self-produced debut CD 'The Lost Place' (2000) enhanced their reputation, receiving airplay throughout Europe, while the power of their live performances spread the word further in the UK. Fantazia's Spring 2003 UK tour, supported by The Arts Council of England, saw the band expanding into an even more exciting nine-piece unit: a multicultural band of musicians from Algeria and the UK, with the soaring vocals of Mourad Simba, oud, sax, flute, violin, trumpet, keyboards, derbouka, bass and drums - featuring, also, the inimitable North African dancing of Najma. Fantazia’s festival appearances include Bracknell Festival, The Oris London Jazz Festival, Window on the World (WOW), Glastonbury, Brampton Live, Fest Noz, Sheep Music, Hubble Bubble Festival and Morecambe Worldbeat Festival. They have performed at a wide range of venues including The Hackney Empire and The Forum, Kentish Town, and completed three tours supported by the Arts Council of England. Fantazia have also appeared live on Carlton TV’s The Warehouse, BBC World Service, Charlie Gillett’s BBC London show, BBC Radio 4’s Loose Ends. and BBC Radio 3’s World Music Day 1/1/2001. In 2002, Algerian radio made a half-hour programme about the band.
