UK-LE TRIO JOUBRAN/MASSI Palestinian musicians, Le Trio Joubran, perform at a sell-out London show

Record ID: 149712

  • Title: UK-LE TRIO JOUBRAN/MASSI Palestinian musicians, Le Trio Joubran, perform at a sell-out London show
  • Date: 1st June 2015
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) ALGERIAN SINGER, SOUAD MASSI, SAYING: "From Andalusia, I just took the world 'El Mutakallimun' (Arabic for 'Masters of words'). El Mutakallimun were a council in Cordoba. I really liked the idea that there was a council, where poets, philosophers, and scientists would meet and would discuss (issues)."
  • Embargoed: 16th June 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAUG2MX82RAILS9B0AL3QD4G6M
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: For one night only, Palestinian trio, Le Trio Joubran, and Algerian-born singer, Souad Massi, performed at a sell-out show in London's Barbican Centre.
    Le Trio Joubran has become well-known across the Arab world but also in Europe for their oud masterpieces.
    Three brothers, born in Nazareth: Samir, Wissam, and Adnan Joubran, performed pieces from their latest albums Asfar and Majaz.
    They often perform their music accompanied by the poetry of the late Palestinian poet, Mahmoud Darwish.
    The musical trio come from a musical background with their father, Hatem Joubran, being a well-known oud-maker in Nazareth.
    "For us, we were born in a family, where the oud preceded us. So we have this deification and canonisation for our, for the instrument. Wissam represents the fourth generation of oud makers in our family. He combines the tradition with knowledge of oud making," says Adnan Joubran.
    The oldest brother, Samir, is the mastermind behind the project as he started his musical journey first, mastering playing oud in Cairo. He was later followed by his brother, Wissam, who after learning the art of oud-making at his father's shop, travelled to Cremona, Italy to continue studying the art of making string instruments. Wissam makes all the instruments for the group.
    Algerian singer, Souad Massi also entertained the audience with her lyrical masterpieces, with poetry being one of the main inspirations behind her music.
    Massi's most recent album 'El Mutakallimun' includes reworks of poems by 9th century poet El Mutanabi, 6th century poet Zuhair Ibn Abi Salma, and Ahmed Matar, an Iraqi poet living currently in exile in London.
    Massi said she she was inspired by the Arab rule in Spain to produce her new album.
    "From Andalusia, I took the world 'El Mutakallimun' (Arabic for 'Masters of words'). El Mutakallimun were a council in Cordoba. I really liked the idea that there was a council, where poets, philosophers, and scientists would meet and would discuss (issues)," she said.
    Those attending the concert praised their performance, with some making it a family outing.
    "Well actually, my sister discovered Souad Massi many many years ago, when she had her first album and we love her music so it's my father's 75th birthday and I thought it will be a lovely family thing to do, he will enjoy it," said concert goer Anita Howard.
    "They have a passion for oud, music, and life. They play with it, they really love what they do," said Amina Hassan Al-Karawani, who was visiting London from Cairo.
    "She uses literary Arabic that we rarely use. She took us back to this language that we rarely use, which was brilliant. And she has a beautiful voice. And the whole band. Also, Trio Joubran were also very beautiful," said Nof Nasser Eddin, who was attending the concert with a friend.
    Following on from their concert in London, Le Trio Joubran will be performing in other cities across the United Kingdom, with Souad Massi due to perform at an upcoming concert in northern France.
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