Innovative bassist and composer joins us to discuss his album 'Bab Bhar,' which deftly puts Arabic rhythms and Tunisian musical traditions into the hands of a contemporary jazz quartet.
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Today, the Spotlight shines On bassist and composer Marwan Allam.
Marwan’s debut album, Bab Bhar, takes Arabic rhythms and Tunisian musical traditions and hands them to a jazz quartet, creating something that feels both ancient and brand new.
Marwan tunes and plays his bass to echo the sound of the gimbri, a traditional three-string instrument from his native Tunisia. He’s here to walk us through this groundbreaking approach and share how growing up at the crossroads of North African music shaped his creative path.
(The musical excerpts heard in the interview are from Marwan Allam’s album Bab Bhar)
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0:01:30 - Album Release and Independent Production
0:02:41 - Modern Musicians as Entrepreneurs
0:04:02 - The Significance of "Bab Bhar" (The Gate of the Sea)
0:07:15 - Early Musical Discoveries in Tunisia
0:09:08 - Journey from Guitar to Bass
0:14:15 - Learning Jazz Through Masterclasses
0:16:23 - Arabic Music Traditions and Learning Styles
0:19:18 - Understanding Maqam and Musical Emotions
0:23:14 - Evolution of Arabic Musical Traditions
0:27:22 - Breaking Down "Ajmiya" - The Album's Opening Track
0:32:26 - Collaborating with Musicians on the Album
0:34:30 - Why Choose a Jazz Quartet Format
0:37:05 - American Musicians Playing Arabic Music
0:38:29 - Future Musical Directions and Compositional Philosophy
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Purchase Marwan Allam's Bab Bhar on Bandcamp → https://marwanallam.bandcamp.com/album/bab-bhar
and listen on your streaming platform of choice → https://album.link/i/1761762921
Follow Marwan Allam on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/marwan__allam
and YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@marwanallam4143
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