Youssef Daoudi

Maya Youssef is a multi-award winning musician and composer from Syria. She is hailed as 'queen of the qanun,' the 78-stringed Middle Eastern plucked zither. Maya's intense and thoughtful music is rooted in the Arabic classical tradition but forges pathways into Western classical and contemporary styles. It explores the emotional and healing qualities of music. The 'Finding Home' is a journey through memories and the essence of home both within and without in the search of that place of peace, comfort, and healing which manifests in everyone in a unique way.

Singer and oud player Dhafer Youssef is one of the most appealing stars of world music, yet his music still resists categorisation within that vague genre. Last year we heard him in a "supergroup" with Omar Sosa and Anga Diaz, but he sounds more comfortable accompanied by the talented crop of Norwegian musicians loosely associated with "nu-jazz". This cool style of playing, loose-limbed and hard-edged, provides the perfect backdrop to the Mediterranean warmth of Youssef's compositions. The most significant collaborator is producer-guitarist Eivind Aarset, who supplies backdrops of wide-ranging style and density, while remaining empathetic to Youssef's musical personality. Youssef can be deep, light-hearted, complex, funky and achingly romantic, sometimes all within one song. The album's pace is leisurely, full of atmosphere, groove and great playing, but rarely self-indulgent; you never forget whose album it is. By taking the most positive aspects of nu-jazz, Aarset and Youssef have forged a thrilling new sound that could make Divine Shadows a crossover hit.

Featuring musical guests such as Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Dave Holland, Nguyên Lê and more. Street of Minarets continues to spotlight Dhafer's seamless ability to build a bridge between Indian, Arabic, and Western classical and jazz music.
On this album, Street of Minarets, Dhafer offers a gift for the dreamers, the lovers, the fighters, and the obscure. What was once an unfinished project that he felt was missing the soul his music usually has, overcoming obstacles of anxiety and vocal surgery during the pandemic would go on to rekindle his eternal love of music and provide him with the motivation he needed to rewrite and rearrange the record. The result is a relatable journey of sufferings and successes, ultimately spotlighting Dhafer’s inspiring resilience.

Ahmad Al Khatib and Youssef Hbeisch - Sabîl (2011) {Institut du Monde Arabe–Harmonia Mundi HM 321.090}
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© 2011 Institut du Monde Arabe / Harmonia Mundi | HM 321.090
World Music / Middle Eastern Traditions / Arabic Maqam / Palestinian

Ahmad Al-Khatib is among the rising stars of contemporary Arabic music. Born in a Jordanian Palestinian refugee camp in 1974, Al-Khatib went on to study cello and musicology at Yarmuk University (Jordan). Following graduation, he relocated to Ramallah, joining the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in East Jerusalem in 1997, where he taught and later became director of the Oriental Music Studies department. It was during this time that he and other teachers, including Youssef Hbeishe formed the Karloma ensemble, a small chamber orchestra dedicated to performing contemporary Palestinian music. Following Israeli crackdowns in 2002, Al-Khatib's visa was not renewed and since 2004, he has taught Modal Music Composition and Theory at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden.

Dhafer Youssef - Abu Nawas Rhapsody (2010) {Jazzland Recordings 0602527295565}
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© 2010 Dhafer Youssef / Jazzland Recordings | 0602527295565
Spiritual Sufi / World Jazz Fusion / Ethnic Jazz / Mysterious / Oud

Acclaimed for his fusion of world music with jazz, vocalist and oud player Dhafer Youssef now focuses more on the acoustic side of jazz with an exciting new quartet that includes pianist Tigran Hamasyan, bassist Chris Jennings and drummer Mark Guiliana. This new recording contrasts the sense of calm and serenity created by Dhafer's mesmeric voice and oud playing with Guiliana's trademark combination of energetic rhythmic multiple layers. The very special mix of musical elements and creative talent produces a new and original soundscape. With the musicians' commitment to exploring and experimenting paired with their subtlety and courage to be silent, it is sure to catch the ear of any attentive listener.