Jazz Articles about Dhafer Youssef

Japanese band Prism, Argentinian guitarist Juan Cortes and French band Masal

by Len Davis
February 17, 2023

Omar Hakim, Japanese band Prism, guitarist Juan Cortes, French band Masal, Alex Acuna, the latest from Dhafer Youssef, plus Greg Spero, Erik Escobar, and Polish band Quartado.Playlist Omar Hakim “Walk The Walk" from We Are One (OzMosis) 00:00 Prism “Tornado" from Memorial—Live Tracks (Vivid Japan) 06:18 Juan Cortes “Cyborg King" from Wameru (Self Produced) 12:33 Masal “Dance Of Fireflies" from Ahora (L'enclume) 18:46 Alex Acuna “Mercy Mercy" from Gifts (Le Coq Records) 24:55 Dhafer Youssef “Sudra Funk" from ...

Time in Jazz 2018 - Day Concerts

by Roberto Cifarelli
September 15, 2018

Dhafer Youssef: Birds Requiem

by Glenn Astarita
February 7, 2014

Tunisian oud maestro Dhafer Youssef imparts a holistic world music vista, encompassing jazz, rock and spiritual inclinations while retaining the core Arabic modalities on the aurally picturesque Birds Requiem. And his chant-like, resonating vocals entwine mystical attributes with near-flawless control amid passages that induce an impression of sacred exchanges with a higher entity. Blending Souls & Shades touches your heart, emanating from Youssef's sprawling vocals, executed with conviction and soulfulness, followed by trumpeter Nils-Petter Molvaer's spiraling lyricism, leading ...

Dhafer Youssef: Casablanca, Morocco, April 1, 2013

by Mehdi El Mouden
April 12, 2013

Dhafer YoussefJazzablanca FestivalCasablanca, MoroccoApril 1, 2013On April 1, 2013, the Jazzablanca Festival audience was in for a unique experience. Programmed on the third day of the festival and subsequent to singer Melody Gardot and Belgium's Vaya Con Dios, singer/oudist Dhafer Youssef traced a journey from mysticism to jazz via rock beats. During the course of 90 minutes, Youssef's voice transported the audience to moments of epiphany where elation and melancholy met, his long vocal solos ...

Dhafer Youssef: Abu Nawas Rhapsody

by John Kelman
May 12, 2010

After two albums exploring the nexus of ages-old Middle Eastern harmony and modernistic electronics, Tunisian-born oudist/vocalist Dhafer Youssef turns to a stripped-down, completely acoustic environs for Abu Nawas Rhapsody. Despite leaving Oslo behind--where, on Digital Prophecy (Enja, 2003) and Divine Shadows (Jazzland, 2006), he collaborated with some of Norway's more intrepid musicians including guitarist Eivind Aarset, pianist Bugge Wesseltoft and trumpeter Arve Henriksen begin_of_the_skype_highlighting     end_of_the_skype_highlighting--the Vienna-based Youssef remains associated with the Norwegian scene through his release of the disc on Wesseltoft's ...

Dhafer Youssef / Wolfgang Muthspiel: Glow

by Chris May
October 29, 2007

Although it's a dual-leader album, in which oud player Dhafer Youssef's performance is at least as important as that of guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel, one of Glow's chief causes for celebration is Muthspiel's on-form presence. After releasing the shimmeringly beautiful Bright Side (Material Records, 2006)--a little-known masterpiece which may yet take its place alongside such jazz guitar iconographs as Johnny Smith's Moonlight In Vermont (Roulette, 1953, reissued 2004) and Wes Montgomery's Incredible Jazz Guitar (Riverside, 1960)--Muthspiel's project with drummer Brian Blade, ...

Dhafer Youssef: Digital Prophecy

by Javier AQ Ortiz
January 21, 2004

The genesis of Digital Prophecy is diaphanously cinematic. With flowing dramatic ardor, “Diaphanes” exudes a strong oud aroma. It’s earthy, simple, relaxed, and suggestively enhanced with dripping and aerial electronic effects from Eivind Aarset, who also gleams on guitar. As Yoda would say of the crescendo caravanesque march of “Aya”—which first exhibit the leader’s haunting Arabic vocals—“Rich in melodic, rhythmic, chordal and harmonic subtleties, insinuated in sensual Middle Eastern over and undertones an album this is.”

Dhafer Youssef ...