Bedouism
A remarkable collection of music from Jordan played on the Arabic Rababa, Tableh, Qanoun and Oud. The artists on this collection include: Jamal Khlief: Born in Karak, south of Amman, this 53 year-old poet learned poetry from his father. His father being a famous poet and the chief of their clan. As a child, Jamal performed in organized musical evenings with friends and family. Singing traditional tales and improvised poems while playing the Rababa fiddle at weddings. He is considered one of the best Rababa poets in Jordan. Omar Hassan Faqir: A descendent of a family of well-known musicians he was taught music at an early age. He was introduced to jazz and it grew into his favorite pastime. Playing at different jazz festivals around the world, he had a chance to perform with many of the top jazz musicians. He has succeeded in combining the melody of Oriental music with the harmony of western music. Ahmad Rami Al-Najjar: A dedicated musician for the past sixteen years, Ahmad has been extremely active in the world of Arabic Music. With experience in both Egypt and Jordan, he has worked alongside composers and songwriters both regionally and locally. Among the festivals Ahmad participated in are: 6th Festival of Arabic Music, Egypt; Jerash Festival, Jordan; 1st Jordanian Music Festival. His new album, in collaboration with Arab arrangers, composers and songwriters, is now underway. Ahmad Abanda: Born in 1971 in Amman, Ahmad started out as a member in a local band with whom he participated in different local and international festivals such as the Egypt Festival, Babel Festival in Iraq, Rammalah Festival in Palestine as well as the Himana Festival in Turkey. He started recording his first album in 2001, 'The Dream of My Heart'. Haytham N. Kawar: Composer, and Oud player with more than five years experience in the world of musical underscore production for radio, TV and movie projects boasting over 140 national and regional pieces to his name. As well as producing two soundtracks for the Royal courts, he has won 6 advertising awards for radio commercials in the 2000-2001 International Advertising Awards, Jordan. The Mahabeesh: The Mihbash, used for coffee grinding by Bedouins, in 2000 became the basis of a musical group established for the World Wide Hanover Expo 2000. Starting with 6 members The Mahabeesh group was developed by the National Music Conservatory and with the help of Jordanian composers, and highly acclaimed musical figures in Jordan. After their success, the N.M.C. put together a group of youths who have, in 2001, taken part in the Jerash Festival, Jordan; Hala Febrayer (Hello February) Festival, Kuwait; Festival of Music, Bahrain. Nasser Salameh: A 25 year old self taught percussionist, Nasser's story is worth mentioning. A dancer in a folkloric dance group, after breaking his leg he got asked to be the percussionist for the group. He didn't like percussion at the time, but that changed. He does not consider himself o be specialized in any one kind of percussion, but plays Latin, Arabic, as well as South East Asian music. While in Palestine and later in Jordan, Nasser took part in many workshops both teaching and playing. He has played with most Jordanian bands, and even Swedish, German, Greek and other musicians. Yacoub: Jordanian composer, arranger and lyricist. Yacoub started his career in the mid 90's playing bass guitar with local musicians such as Black Iris and the University of Jordan group and performing at the Jerash Festival. He then joined RUM, performing locally and abroad. His music attempts to blend in surrounding influences reflecting the diversity of the environment in which he lives in using the most modern of technological instruments, to the classic, traditional and ancient instruments and human sounds. Fuheis Group 1982 saw the establishment of the Fuheis Group, with a group of spectacular Jordanian youngsters aiming to give Jordan's history and culture the re-birth they feel it deserves. They performed in numerous festivals, including the Jerash, Petra and Fuheis festivals in Jordan, and various international ones in Iraq, Tunisia, Italy, Germany, and more. In 1992, they received a national encouragement award for their active role in heritage awareness -- the first to receive this honorary award in the country. Albroz Troupe: The pride of Prince Hamzeh School was formed with its foundation in 1974. Starting out with amateur dancers, it then developed and grew to what it is now, a troupe with professional dancers of different age groups, peforming annually, participating locally and internationally. Representing Jordan as a country of multi-cultural backgrounds living in peace and harmony, proud of their origin, loyal to their country of nationality. Albroz performed succesfully in Caucasus and was admired widely in Expo 2000-Germany. Kamal Musallum: After learning guitar at the age of 9, Kamal went on to study architecture. Music remained his passion; oriental bands, flamenco, rock and blues bands to name a few. He moved to France in '94 and lived there for four years, attending festivals and concerts, developing his interest in jazz, which soon became the backbone of his style. When faced with career choices, his final decision was to make music his career, and leave architecture behind. His latest album, 'On a Jordan Rivers Side,' was highly appreciated by listeners and agents locally and abroad. DJ Zafter Younis: With experience ranging from top clubs in the U.K. to working in Jordan, DJ Zafer's objective is educating people about he world of music and culture through his music. After studying the Qanoun and Classical music at the National Music Conservatory, music became his hobby and profession. Blending a sophisticated selection of underground fusion and urban into authentic Arabic, he established a unique style bridging the gap between the Middle East and the West. He has played at the following venues among others: China White (London), Cafe de Paris (London), Oxford University (U.K.), Hafleh 'a Gafleh (Dead Sea, Jordan), Lucky Strike Concert -- Shaft (Amman, Jordan), Music Now DJ Competition. Tareq Al Nasser (RUM): He is considered a pioneer in the creation of a new movement in modern Arabic music: TV Drama music scoring and tracking. His innovative talents are present at various intervals from composition to arrangement, to rearrangement of old pieces of Arabic music. Tareq Al-Nasser, in 1988, formed RUM. It began with 9 professional and amateur musicians and rapidly grew into an entity of over 20 musicians, peforming in Jordan, Lebanon, France, Tunisia and Italy. They shared the same passion and obsession of of this new musical vision and unique spirit of "modernism as well as authenticity."