Jazz Articles about Rabih Abou-Khalil

Rabih Abou-Khalil / Joachim K: Journey to the Centre of an Egg

by Jim Santella
March 28, 2006

With a program of compositions by Rabih Abou-Khalil and Joachim Kühn, Journey to the Centre of an Egg shifts to various parts of the globe, combining mainstream jazz with world music. Most of the flavor in their creations centers on the Middle Eastern tradition. This comes as no surprise, since Abou-Khalil was born in Lebanon and lived there until adulthood. But the session also includes flavors from other areas, including Spain, the Caribbean, South Africa, and parts of South America.

Rabih Abou-Khalil / Joachim Kuhn / Jarrod Cagwin: Journey to the Centre of an Egg

by AAJ Staff
March 19, 2006

The amount of time that Rabih Abou-Khalil had to wait to receive proper recognition in North America was almost criminal. After amassing ten releases on the German Enja label, the Lebanese oud virtuoso finally penetrated the Western hemisphere through a licensing deal with Montreal's Justin Time and the release of 2004's border-bridging sextet effort, Morton's Foot.

And so expectations are high for this more intimate trio followup, which prominently features German pianist/co-composer Joachim Kühn (who plays alto saxophone on one ...

Rabih Abou-Khalil: Morton

by Jim Santella
August 3, 2004

Lebanese oud master Rabih Abou-Khalil leads this exciting sextet through a session of his originals. The music, while carrying a distinctive Middle Eastern flavor, can only be called jazz. The group's spontaneity and fresh drive introduce elements that we only find in that portion of the arts where improvisation reigns supreme and swing weaves itself around every phrase.

With the title track, vocalist Gavino Murgia recalls the unique jaw harp drones and guttural emanations that were fostered so ...

Rabih Abou-Khalil: Morton's Foot

by AAJ Staff
July 4, 2004

It's not enough for Lebanese oud player Rabih Abou-Khalil to bring the Middle Eastern oud tradition to his reinvented version of world jazz. He also brings in the accordion (in the hands of Luciano Biondini, an Italian) for European emphasis, the tuba (Frenchman Michel Godard) for a touch of New Orleans funk, and bass vocals (Sardinian Gavino Murgia) for pure exoticism. The international ensemble that performs on Morton's Foot brings its array of influences together for a freeform improv-rich jam ...

Rabih Abou-Khalil: Morton's Foot

by John Kelman
June 15, 2004

The definition of jazz is often a hotly contested topic. A more parochial view has it rooted in black American folk music, with somewhat narrow criteria that revolve around certain harmonies and rhythms. A broader view has it based in an improvisational spirit that can be rooted in the folk music of any country. Whether it is the unbridled passion of the Latin heart or the icy cool of the Scandinavian fjord, jazz is where you find it. ...