MICHAEL HUEBNER News staff writer
Marcel Khalife's music speaks to the heart of his people, not only those from in his native Lebanon, but for the entire Arab world.

On Friday, the celebrated singer, composer and oud (Arabic lute) virtuoso filled WorkPlay Theatre with the nostalgia, melancholy, joy and celebration of life in the Middle East. In the process, he and his quintet provided a brief respite from the onslaught of tragic news in the region.

Many in the packed house knew much of the music from Khalife's albums, so several tunes in the two hour long sets became Arabic sing along events, which Khalife heartily encore aged.

But you didn't have to sing Arabic lyrics to feel the strength and camaraderie of the message or to notice Khalife's musical eloquence and versatility. He drew on classical styling in  "Khiam," an oud solo, with heartfelt improvisations and impressive finger work. He sang and played "Rita" with intense emotion, many in the audience mouthing the words with him in a low murmur.

The oud song, "Mouda'bah," is Khalife's attempt to bridge Arabic folk music with a more   modern style, and he did it well.  "I Love You More" was beautifully sung by Oumeima Khalil, her cascading ornaments, subtle phrasing and easy vocal flow a fitting nod to a rich musical tradition.

Many of the offerings reflected Western jazz and pop influences. Pianist Rami Khalife is a formidable pianist and improviser in any tradition, but he's especially at home with modern jazz. He drew on both jazz and flamenco in "Granada," and his extended solos in a birthday tribute evoked the music of   Claude Debussy and Michel Legrand with sleek melodic runs and luscious harmonies.

Bassist Peter Herbert supplied staunch support all evening, most notably in "Khiam," in which he explored the far reaches of his cumbersome instrument with light-fingered agility.

A fisherman's song brought the final set to a rousing close, Khalife leading the audience between verses with rhythmic clapping and spirited vocal refrains of "hey-la." Not content to have the concert stop there, about half of the audience broke out spontaneously into "Montasiba al Qama," which Khalife returned to the stage to lead.

*** 1/2 Marcel Khalife, oud and vocals Presented by the Birmingham Music Club   Friday Alys Stephens Center