Arab music

Lebanese singer Fairuz

The "grande dame" of Arab music turns 85

Revered as "Mother of the Lebanese Nation" and "Harp of the Orient", Fairuz is a legend all over the Arab World. Now she is celebrating her 85th birthday. By Suzanne Cords
On the death of Matthias Wagner, founder of the Oriental Summer Academy

Mecca of Arab music in south-western Germany

Musicians from Morocco to Iraq have been crossing paths at the Oriental Summer Academy in south-western Germany for ten years. Matthias Wagner, who founded and directed the academy, recently passed away after a brief serious illness at the age of 68. An obituary by Stefan Franzen
Album review: Naima Shalhoub's "Siphr"

Juxtaposing harsh realities with bright hope

"Siphr", Naima Shalhoub's first studio album, is a reflection of both the musician's Lebanese background and her commitment to social justice. While each song is a compelling mixture of musical and lyrical influences from both her American home and her Middle Eastern heritage, the album is deeply rooted in the philosophy of numbers and their symbolic and literal meanings. By Richard Marcus
Album review: Bab L'Bluz's "Nayda"

Rocking the gateway to the desert

The Franco-Moroccan band Bab L'Bluz has named their debut CD "Nayda!" after the musical youth movement. Stefan Franzen introduces the unique music combo
16th Morgenland Festival Osnabruck

A virtual journey of sound across the Balkans

As a consequence of the coronavirus pandemic, the Osnabruck Morgenland Festival took place via YouTube for the first time – transporting us to new cultural regions through music. Marian Brehmer attended several of the virtual concerts
"Masaa"

A fence turns to water

On their fourth CD "Irade" (willpower), Masaa has left its piano sound behind, yet continues with its new guitarist to pursue a path that bridges jazz improvisation and Arabic sounds. By Stefan Franzen
Album review: Soundwalk Collective with Patti Smith – "Mummer Love"

Harar awakening

What do New York City poet and musician Patti Smith, the late French poet Arthur Rimbaud, composer Philip Glass, Ethiopian musician Mulatu Astatke and the Sufi Group of Sheikh Ibrahim have in common? After listening to the album "Mummer Love" from Soundwalk Collective, you may begin to find the connection. Review by Richard Marcus
Overcoming cultural divisions

"Iraq is full of inspiring stories"

At the end of November, a squad of young cultural creatives from all over Iraq met in Erbil, in the country’s north. Their work spans the fault lines that run through Iraqi society, and draws parallels to the revolution in Baghdad and in the country as a whole. Christopher Resch reports from Erbil
British-Bahraini trumpeter Yazz Ahmed

Diving for pearls

Yazz Ahmed is one of the most exciting personalities on the lively London jazz scene. Her complex musical suites combine the traditions of her Bahraini roots and jazz improvisation. On her new album, she honours outstanding women, including those from the Muslim culture. By Stefan Franzen
Art and censorship

Iran and Egypt – where making music means torture and exile

Musical freedom of expression is under fire, but artists like Iran's Farzane Zamen and Egypt's Ramy Essam refuse to be silenced. Cristina Burak has the details
Music and human rights in Saudi Arabia

To perform or not to perform?

International pop artists like K-pop group Super Junior are hugely popular in Saudi Arabia. But should international stars shun the Gulf monarchy because of its poor record on human rights? And if they do choose to perform there, are they indirectly supporting the country's repressive policies? By Nermin Ismail
Rabih Abou-Khalilʹs "The Flood and the Fate of the Fish"

Crisp chamber music

After a seven year break, Rabih Abou-Khalil, a pioneer in Oriental jazz, has released a new album entitled "The Flood and the Fate of the Fish". Stefan Franzen met the musician on the Cote d'Azur