Basel Zayed
Arlington, Massachusetts, United States | Established. Jan 01, 1990 | MAJOR | AFM
Music
Press
Basel Zayed - Ayn Trio
Music by Basel Zayed
Artist release (www.baselzayed.com)
Music of the Month
January, 2019
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Review by Tyran Grillo
Within the first few notes of “Violence,” the opener of this self-titled jewel from the Ayn Trio, it’s obvious we’ve found ourselves in music that doesn’t just describe life but is life itself. Basel Zayed (oud, buzuq, vocals) shuttles his bandmates Layth Sidiq (violin) and Naseem Al-Atrash (cello) in a jagged weave of melody and history, setting the stage for a human drama. These musicians work together like the past, present, and future of a protagonist whose narrative journey from “pain and loneliness to connection and joy” makes catharsis seem like an understatement.
“This is a very important album for me,” Zayed goes on to tell RootsWorld in an email interview. “Since moving both to a different geographic location and a different mental and spiritual state, I have entered a new cycle in life that makes me feel more grounded, supported, and free.” - Many publishers
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Bio
Basel Zayed is a virtuoso oud player and an acclaimed vocalist skilled in classical and contemporary Arabic music. He draws on deep experience with the Maqam (Arabic) music tradition to explore the beauty and universality of Middle Eastern music, especially when combined with other musical styles, such as jazz. Basel is also a trained pianist and skilled musical arranger. He has composed and arranged music for several successful artistic projects and performing groups. He also creates and records original soundtracks for movies, plays, and dance troupes.
Basel began his music career as a composer, vocalist, and professional oud artist, and has developed a reputation as successful musical leader and conductor. He has performed at many international music venues in various roles—featured artist, bandleader, conductor—in Sweden, Italy, France, Spain, Denmark, Lebanon, UK, US, Jordan, Egypt, and Palestine.
In addition, Basel is an experienced music educator with a background in music therapy. He holds a master’s degree from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama at City University of London. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife and two children, where he works as an artist, clinician, and educator.
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