Arab Jazz: What to Listen To

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 sub-genre on its own.

The Best Arab Jazz Musicians

Here’s a quick introduction to some of the Arab jazz musicians that you should know about:

Tarek Yamani

Via 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” — making him a must listen for anyone interested in jazz music in general. Known to be a pioneer of Arab jazz, Tarek is a Beiruti pianist, composer, producer, and educator whose music spans jazz, Arabic Classic music and electronica.

Firas Zreik

Via YouTube

Listening to Firas Zreik’s music will change how you understand the Qanun. His music brings together the traditional identity of the instrument with a contemporary sound — “stretching its potential as a cultural chameleon” — making for an upbeat addition to the playlist.

Salah Ragab

Via World of Jazz

The founder of Egypt’s first jazz big band — The Cairo Jazz Band — Salah Ragab and his band are staples of any Arab jazz mixtape.

Yacine Boulares

An Arab jazz playlist would be remiss not to also 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 also a school that’s influenced generations that followed – and continues to.

Faraj Suleiman

Via Jazz Day Germany

Via Soundcloud

Pianist and composer Faraj Suleiman makes music that brings together Arabic and Eastern melodies and rhythms with jazz traditions.