Firas Zreik (Palestine/USA)

• country:Palestine
• style(s):Fusion, Maqam
• label:not signed
• type:Band
• gender:male
• instrumentation:instrumental
• artist posted by:Firas Zreik

Line up

• Alexandre Ferreira Alves (Drums)
• Firas Zreik  (Kanun, Composer, Leader)
• Manuel Rocha (Guitar)
• Tomas Marques (Saxophone)
• Yuri Daniel  (Bass )

Links

• Official Website
• Spotify
• Youtube
• Instagram
• Facebook

Artist-composer, Kanunist and educator Firas Zreik has performed and recorded across the world as a leader and highly sought collaborator since 2013. A sonic revolutionary, the Palestine-born New Yorker has transformed global perception of the Kanun. His treatment of the instrument preserves its identity as a vital part of the Maqam tradition, and stretches its potential as a cultural chameleon enhancing a range of fresh, evolving sounds. He views the Maqam’s improvisation-driven legacy as a vessel for unbound creative expression across musical styles.

His nuanced approach translates the Kanun’s resonant depth of emotion, with a mastery of microtonal soundscaping. Comfortable in both heavily orchestrated and spontaneous settings, he creates waves of layered expression and lyricism among his fellow artists. Over the years, he has collaborated with a cross section of leaders, including Roger Waters, Simon Shaheen, Amir ElSaffar, Fabrizio Cassol, Marwan Khoury, Abeer Nehmeh, Elias Karam, Shreya Goshal, Shankar Mahadevan, Aynur Dogan, G.E. Smith, David Broza and his internationally-renowned mother and frequent artistic partner Amal Murkus, for whom he serves as musical director.

In live performance, Zreik conjures a complexity of emotion that shapeshifts throughout his sets. He enters fragile places and sits inside them. This commitment to stark exploration has sent him around the world, performing at storied venues, intimate clubs and international festivals. He has appeared at WOMEX international music expo, Smithsonian Museum, Savannah Music Festival, Tunisia’s Carthage International Festival and Hill Auditorium, as well as The Jazz Gallery, Lincoln Center and Historic Greenwood in New York City; Boston Symphony Hall and Berklee Performance Center in Boston; Institute du Monde Arabe and La Bellevilloise in Paris; Palais de Congres and Fete Des Solidarites in Belgium; as well as Teatro Mediterraneo and Nuoro Jazz Festival in Italy.

Following the release of his two singles “Lullaby for Nature” (Levantine Music) and “Sentiments of Emptiness” (Universal Music Group), in 2020, during the pandemic lockdown, Zreik issued his debut EP Solo (Levantine Music), featuring a shimmering, contemplative set of Kanun music. In fall 2022, the young artist is poised to release his first full-length recording of original music featuring his 8-piece band.

Contact Artist