Music of the Arab World: Mohamed Abozekry

Egyptian virtuoso **Mohamed Abozekry**’s unbridled imagination interprets the boundless world around him. Abozekry is an *oud* (lute) master, composer and musical polymath whose music resonates in time and of place, as he excavates and renews Egyptian classicism. His sextet, featuring musicians working across two continents, pushes the boundaries of what it means to be contemporary. *Roh El Fouad* (The Heart’s Soul), Abozekry’s latest album forms the latest chapter in Abozekry’s improvisational exploration of Egyptian music without a predetermined template.

Born in Cairo in 1991, Abozekry graduated at 15 from the Arabic Oud house in Cairo. He was the youngest oud teacher in the Arab world, and in 2009 was awarded first prize at the International Oud Competition in Syria. Later that year, began studying classical music composition. At the age of 18, he began splitting his time in France. The push-pull between his second home in France, and his native Egypt opened a door of inspiration for his work. The many artists he met traveling this path resulted in collaborations with jazz bands, Romani artists, classic orchestras, and electronic musicians. In 2017, following his interest in composing music for cinema, Mohamed Abozekry earned a Master’s in Music Film-Scoring (MAAAV) at Lyon II University, and began scoring films and TV shows. “I never move backwards, but in a circular motion and return to the place I started with more experience.”

Mohamed Abozekry sextet: Camille Maussion, Saxophone ; George Nabil, Keyboards; André Segone, Bass; Ahmed Aly, Percussion ; Kerdani, Drums; Mohamed Abozekry, Oud & Vocals & Compositions

“brilliant, inventive virtuosity that goes far beyond technical mastery…” Le Monde France

Mohamed Abozekry is on tour in the USA as part of Center Stage, an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs with funding provided by the U.S. Government. It is administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts in cooperation with the U.S. Regional Arts Organizations. General management is provided by Lisa Booth Management, Inc. www.centerstageUS.org.