Rabih Abou-Khalil
Rabih Abou-Khalil | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 17, 1957 Beirut, Lebanon |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Known for | Fusion of Arabic music with jazz, classical, and other genres |
Rabih Abou-Khalil (, born August 17, 1957) is a Lebanese-born oud musician and composer renowned for integrating Arabic musical traditions with jazz, classical, and various other genres. Raised in Beirut, he moved to Munich, Germany, in 1978 amid the Lebanese Civil War.
Musical style
Abou-Khalil pursued oud studies at the Beirut Conservatory under Georges Farah before advancing to classical flute instruction at Munich's Academy of Music with Walther Theurer.
His work is characterized by a fusion of Arabic music with jazz, rock, and classical influences, positioning him as a trailblazer in world fusion music. A 2002 review from The Guardian highlighted his skillful blending of Middle Eastern rhythmic patterns with jazz grooves.
The BBC commended his 2007 release Songs For Sad Women for its mesmerizing combination of jazz-tinged Arabic melodies anchored by his expressive oud performance.
Alongside Tunisian masters Anouar Brahem and Dhafer Youssef, Abou-Khalil has played a significant role in popularizing the oud within ethno-jazz and global fusion scenes.
His collaborations span a wide range of artists, including ARTE Quartett (saxophone), Alexander Bălănescu (violin), Luciano Biondini (accordion), Milton Cardona (congas), Sonny Fortune (alto saxophone), Michel Godard (tuba, serpent), Joachim Kühn (piano, alto saxophone), Howard Levy (harmonica), Charlie Mariano (alto saxophone), Gabriele Mirabassi (clarinet), Glen Moore (bass), Mark Nauseef (percussion), Setrak Sarkissian (darabukka), Ramesh Shotham (Indian percussion), Steve Swallow (bass), Glen Velez (frame drum), and Kenny Wheeler (flugelhorn).
Albums
His only album released through Munich-based ECM is Nafas (1988). From 1990 onward, Abou-Khalil’s recordings have been issued by Enja Records, also based in Munich. The 1992 album Al-Jadida features alto saxophonist Sonny Fortune; that same year, Blue Camel includes contributions from alto saxophonist Charlie Mariano and flugelhorn player Kenny Wheeler. Morton's Foot (2004) highlights accordionist Luciano Biondini alongside Sardinian vocalist Gavino Murgia. In 2005’s Journey to the Centre of an Egg, Abou-Khalil performs within a trio comprising oud, piano (Joachim Kühn, who also plays alto saxophone), and drummer Jarrod Cagwin.
The albums Nafas and Tarab incorporate the use of the ney, a traditional Middle Eastern end-blown flute. Arabian Waltz presents Abou-Khalil’s string quartet compositions performed by the Balanescu Quartet, supplemented by oud, Michel Godard on tuba or serpent, and frame drums.
In 2008, he released Em Português, an album blending Arabic musical elements with fado, featuring the renowned fadista Ricardo Ribeiro.
TV series: Visions of Music
In 1998, Abou-Khalil served as host for the 13-episode series Visions of Music, produced by EuroArts Entertainment. This documentary examined the intersections of jazz fusion with global musical traditions such as Caribbean salsa, Brazilian samba, Argentine tango, French musette, Spanish flamenco, Jewish klezmer, New Orleans R&B, Mississippi blues, as well as African, Indian, and Middle Eastern music. Utilizing archival footage and interviews with musicians, the series offered an expansive view of these diverse styles. The accompanying soundtrack was issued as Visions of Music - World Jazz by Enja Records.
Discography
- Compositions & Improvisations (MMP, 1981)
- Bitter Harvest (MMP, 1984)
- Between Dusk and Dawn (MMP, 1987; reissued by Enja, 1993)
- Bukra (MMP, 1988; re-released by Enja, 1994)
- Nafas (ECM, 1988)
- Roots & Sprouts (MMP/Enja, 1990)
- World Music Orchestra: East West Suite (Granit, 1990)
- Al-Jadida (Enja, 1991)
- Blue Camel (Enja, 1992)
- Tarab (Enja, 1993)
- The Sultan's Picnic (Enja, 1994)
- Arabian Waltz (Enja, 1996)
- Odd Times (Enja, 1997)
- Yara (Enja, 1998)
- The Cactus of Knowledge (Enja, 2001)
- Il Sospiro (Enja, 2002)
- Morton's Foot (Enja, 2003)
- Journey to the Centre of an Egg (Enja, 2005)
- Songs for Sad Women (Enja, 2007)
- Em Português (Enja, 2008)
- Trouble in Jerusalem (Enja, 2010)
- Hungry People (World Village, 2012)
- The Flood and the Fate of the Fish (Enja Records, 2020)
Guest appearances
- Chris Karrer: Dervish Kish (Schneeball/Indigo, 1990/91)
- Michael Riessler: Heloise (Wergo, 1992)
- Charlie Mariano & Friends: Seventy (veraBra records, 1993)
- Glen Moore: Nude Bass Ascending (Intuition, 1996/97)
- Ramesh Shotam: Madras Special (Permission Music, 2002)
Additional contributions
- Jakob Wertheim & Rabih Abou-Khalil: KopfKino cassette (Ohrbuch-Verlag, 1988)
- The Jazz Club Highlights DVD (TDK JAZZ CLUB, 1990)
- TV series: Rabih Abou-Khalil presents Visions of Music - World Jazz (Enja, 1999)