PORTLAND — Portland Ovations will bring young North African guitarist and songwriter Omara “Bombino” Moctar and his four-piece band to the University of Southern Maine on Wednesday, April 4.

Moctar is from the Tuareg region of North Africa and during his nomadic lifestyle of avoiding the politically charged rebellion in Niger, he taught himself how to play guitar by watching videos of Jimi Hendrix and others. He has recorded a desert blues version of the Rolling Stones classic “Hey Negrita” alongside Keith Richards and Charlie Watts.

Moctar has served as Angelina Jolie’s guide to the Niger desert region.

His electrifying jams capture the spirit of the Sahara with enduring notes of nostalgia, resilience and peace. His music also echoes rock and blues icons Jimi Hendrix, John Lee Hooker and Jimmy Page.

Moctar’s 2011 album, “Agadez, ” was selected by NPR as one of its favorite albums of 2011,  making it onto its Top 50 chart alongside the likes of Adele, Radiohead, James Blake and Wilco.

On Wednesday, March 14, Portland Ovations will present a screening of “Agadez, the Music and the Rebellion,” a documentary film about the Tuareg culture of the Sahara Desert featuring Moctar and his music. It will be at 7:30 p.m.  at SPACE Gallery, 538 Congress St. Tickets are $7.

Tickets for the April 4 concert in Hannaford Hall are $28. Call PortTix at 842-0800, visit the box office window at Merrill Auditorium or log on to www.portlandovations.org.