Dhafer Youssef - Oud, Vocal | Daniel Garcia - piano | Mario Rom - Trumpet | Swaeli Mbappe - E-Bass | Tao Ehrlich - Drums
Shiraz, Dhafer Youssef’s first ACT album as a bandleader, is an intimate journey of love, gratitude, light, and shadow. Dedicated to his wife Shiraz Fradi, the album reflects their close relationship and shared life path. The music of the Tunisian oud master and vocalist is more personal than ever, infused with the energy of countless encounters and discoveries from his decades-long musical journey, yet grounded in a tender awareness of the present moment.
From his early training in the Sufi traditions of Tunisia to becoming one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary music, Dhafer Youssef has transcended genres, blending jazz, world music, and spiritual exploration. His sound fuses Arabic musical traditions with modern influences—from jazz and chamber music to rock and electronics—and has led him to collaborate with international luminaries such as Marcus Miller, Herbie Hancock, and Eivind Aarset.
The album’s heart lies in Youssef’s encounter with filmmaker Shiraz Fradi. Their partnership not only gave him personal stability but also shaped his artistic path. The music of Shiraz was composed during pivotal moments of their life together, including the challenges of the COVID pandemic and Shiraz’s cancer diagnosis—a reality that deeply moved Youssef and inspired this album as a personal dedication.
On Shiraz, Youssef’s oud is treated as a chamber instrument, while his voice takes on hymn-like passages and delicate falsetto, dialoguing with trumpet, piano, bass, drums, and Nguyên Lê’s guitar and sound design. Tracks like The Epistle Of Love and Rose Fragrance unfold like cinematic soundscapes, ranging from intimate dedications to powerful bursts of energy.
Beyond its personal story, Shiraz carries cultural resonance: it embodies a dialogue between tradition and modernity, East and West, the individual and the collective. In a world of division and noise, the music offers calm, bridges differences, and celebrates diversity, connection, and shared emotion. Shiraz is sound as vibrant and transformative as life itself.
