An Arab Jazz Mixtape
Our Arab jazz compilation is intended as a growing playlist that’s a little more accurate than what’s already out there. Jazz has been a popular and growing genre of music throughout the Middle East since the early 20th century. The fusion of Western influences and musical standards with local rhythms and styles makes for a unique sound.
Our playlist brings together modern Arab jazz musicians with those that pioneered the genre before them, who have drawn influence from Latin jazz and bossa nova to jazz fusion, and who’s music is living proof that Arab Jazz should be a genre of its own.
Some of the Best Arab Jazz Musicians Out There
Tarek Yamani
Time Out described Tarek Yamani’s music as “shimmering spidery piano godliness,” while CNN called him a “trailblazing pianist transform[ing] Khaleeji music.” Yamani’s music is a must-listen for anyone interested in jazz in general. Yamani is a Beiruti pianist, composer, producer, and educator whose music spans jazz, Arabic Classic music and electronica.
Firas Zreik
Listening to Firas Zreik’s music will change how you think of the Qanun. His compositions bring together the traditional identity of the instrument with a contemporary sound, “stretching its potential as a cultural chameleon” and making for an upbeat addition to a playlist.
Salah Ragab
The founder of Egypt’s first jazz big band, The Cairo Jazz Band, Salah Ragab and his band are staples of any Arab jazz playlist.
Yacine Boulares
An Arab jazz mixtape would be remiss not to include Yacine Boulares, “hailed by Radio France Internationale as one of the most talented jazzmen of his generation.” A multi-instrumentalist, he plays the saxophone and clarinet, and composes his own music.
Ziad Rahbani & Fairuz
We can’t forget the mother and son duo that together and individually made an indelible mark on the music (and jazz) of the Arab world. Ziad transformed his mother’s and the Rahbani’s classics into world-class jazz tracks, and is considered not only a pioneer of jazz from the region, but a school in and of himself. One that’s influenced – and continues to – generations that followed.
Faraj Suleiman
Pianist and composer Faraj Suleiman makes music that brings together Arabic and Eastern melodies and rhythms with jazz traditions.
