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An Oud Trio: Three Palestinian Brothers from Israel
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Go Skagit.com, An Oud Trio: Three Palestinian Brothers from Israel >>
Le Trio Joubran, comprised of three Palestinian musician brothers with Israeli citizenship, should be enough to turn heads in this era of progressive public affairs. Tensions between Israel and Palestine have been around for decades and certainly a day does not go by when this tension ends up in the daily news. What does not end up in the news often enough, is a celebration of the rich musical traditions of the Arab world. And sadly, the violence of brother against brother that often happens in the Middle East causes a real challenge for musicians just trying to do their art.
The Joubran brothers, all oud (traditional Arabic lute) virtuosos from a long lineage of traditional musicians, just released their second trio CD, “Majaz” in the United States. The brothers tour the world and receive critical acclaim for their concerts and recordings. Not only is a trio of oud players unprecedented, but these musicians play so seamlessly that a listener could swear that they hear only one oud. The ouds at times take on the timbre and fiery of a flamenco guitar and at other times, a turbulence can be detected underneath a placid exterior while playing traditional compositions.
Since the brothers come from a lineage of traditional musicians, the middle brother Wissam Joubran comments on what his generation has brought to the tradition. “The belief (is) that the oud is an extremely rich instrument and it can surpass the traditional limitations through innovative composition techniques. Just the fact that we have three ouds playing together is a completely new concept in the Arabic music world which places us under new a new environment for new composition and improvisation.”
Le Trio Joubran started out when the eldest of the brothers, Samir heard the jazz/rock/flamenco guitar trio of Al Di Meola, Paco de Lucia and John McLaughlin. Soon middle brother and luthier (lute maker) Wissam came on board with his handmade instruments, and skills in taqasim (improvisations). The youngest brother Adnan joined the brothers and the trio recorded “Randana,” released on the Joubran’s own label and released in the United States to critical acclaim on the Fairplay/Randana/Sheer label.
Around the time of the release of “Randana,” the International Herald Tribune reported a poignant experience involving the trio. “After the Parisian audience stood up, applauded and cheered, Samir’s daughter (5) … began to cry. Samir, who doesn’t generally speak on stage and doesn’t smile easily, carried her up to explain, ‘She is crying because in her experience,’ he announced, ‘a crowd of people making noise means violence. She did not know that people clap their hands out of happiness.’”
When asked about what the social role he and his brothers play during an era of violence between Palestine and Israel, Wissam responded, “We are Palestinians with Israeli citizenship who take the responsibility to educate in order to raise international awareness to our just cause as Palestinians. Doing so will hopefully contribute to the freedom of Palestine which will in turn free us from fighting this endless cause in order to live as normal musicians one day.”
As far as Arabic music and politics go, the Joubran brothers are not alone in this cause.
Palestinian musician-composer Rim Banna, who records on the Norwegian label Kirkelig Kulturverksted, has also found herself in the role of a musical ambassador for the liberation of Palestine and has visited Palestinian refugee camps. Another Arabic oud player, Lebanese Marcel Khalife, has also been instrumental in bringing peace to the Middle East through his musical projects of bridging the gaps between cultures and religions as well as his outspokenness. Khalife’s most recent album, “Taqasim,” also acts as a family affair with his son, Bachar on percussion.
Most important, however, is that Khalife and the Le Trio Joubran preserve and pass on their Arabic musical heritage through the release of their international recordings and through performing to international audiences. In a time where every culture in the world appears to be immersed in the contemporary sounds of Western culture, mainly that of the United States, more than ever traditional musicians face the challenge of keeping true to their musical heritage.
Wissam comments about disturbing influences that affect Le Trio Joubran. “We for sure are influenced by any and all powerful musical productions, especially given the fact that in today’s world no one can escape the different kinds of bombardments entering one’s daily life through new means of communication and information channels radio, TV, advertisements, mobile phones, and the Internet. This invasion of our daily life will at some point require us to withdraw from the usual routines in order to minimize some of the negative aspects of such channels.”
Fortunately for music listening audiences, the throaty tranquil sounds of the oud performing traditional Arabic improvisations has been made available to us through recordings, and concert tours. We can step away from the violence of the world which we all face and bend our ears to the beautiful music these three brothers create on their three traditional handmade ouds.
-- by Patricia Herlevi 02/10/08 >> go there
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