Bassam Saba

BASSAM SABA, ney, flute, oud, violin, and composer, he is a native of Lebanon, where he studied ‘oud, violin, and ney (Arab flute) at the Lebanese National Conservatory.

His August Concert at Levitt Pavilion in Pasadena, California is available for viewing at staytunedtv on the Bassam Saba & Ensemble listing.

In 1976, he moved to France where he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Western Classical music and Flute Performance from the Conservatoire Municipals des Gobelins in Paris. During this time, Mr. Saba was an essential member of Marcel Khalife’s ensemble, Al-Mayadeen, playing ney, violin, and flute. He moved to Moscow in 1985 and received a Master’s Degree in Flute Performance and Music Education at the Gnessin Musical Pedagogical Institute. After a period as Musical Director of the Beirut Symphonic Band, he moved to New York, and began performing with Mr. Shaheen’s varies musical ensembles, and becoming one of the premiere members of Mr. Shaheen’s Qantara group and the Near Eastern Music Ensemble, among many other musical activities.

Throughout his extensive career, Bassam Saba has been performing various styles of music ranging from Western Classical music, popular and traditional Arab music, as well as Arab fusion music. Considered one of the most outstanding nay players (end blown reed flute) and oud players (Middle Eatern lute) in the United States, he has toured throughout the Middle East, Europe, Canada, South America, Australia, Africa and Japan. This year recognized by the National Arab American Museum as one of the 10 most outstanding artist of the last decade to make a significant difference in bringing the beauty and rich cultural history of Middle East through music to American Audiences.

His accomplishments include recording and performing with the top International, Middle Eastern and American celebrity artists including composers/musicians Ziad Rahbani, Yo Yo Mann, Marcel Khalife, Wu Mann, Simon Shaheen,Toufic Farroukh (in The Absolute Orchestra) and International acclaimed vocalists Fairuz, Kadim (Kazem) Al Sahir, Majida al-Roumi, Wadi al-Safi, Khaled, Santana, Souad Massi, Sarah Brightman just to name a few. In addition to his extensive work with Simon Shaheen, Saba composes and performs with his own musical ensemble Myriad, and is directing the Middle Eastern Ensemble at Harvard University.

Saba’s musical career also includes live concert broadcasts and radio interviews aired in France, Belgium, Lebanon, Japan, Canada, and the U.S.
And now Mr. Saba much awaited solo album and new world/classical ensemble is ready to take the forefront on stages world wide. This highly anticipated album by Saba is due out in stores Spring 2007. And the debut of the brand new ensemble will take place this summer with a special concert performance at the NY’s famed Central Park Summer Stage.