Aziz Sahmaoui (in Arabic: عزيز السحماوي) (born 1962) is a Moroccan musician (vocalist – percussionist) specialized in the modern Gnawa music.

After finishing his studies, he moved by the 1990s to Paris where he co-founded the National Orchestra of Barbès (in French: l'Orchestre National de Barbès – ONB),[1] which mixed Reggae and Raï with North African influences.

[2] After releasing two albums with ONB, he joined the pianist Joe Zawinul and collaborated with him in a number of songs.

[3] In 2010, Sahmaoui founded his own band, The University of Gnawa, having members from various countries including France, Senegal and North Africa.

Its core curriculum remains though: The deep exploration of Gnawa trance music.