🎶 Transposition is a project by Palestinian oud player Abdul-Wahab Kayyali. It explores the interplay between the oud and the cello in a novel expression of Arabic music. For this special tour, he is joined by Grammy-nominated Palestinian cellist Naseem AlAtrash, creating a sonic experience that transcends genres, borders, and eras.
In music, transposition is the adaptation of pitches to achieve harmony. In a broader sense, it signifies transformation—of time, place, and form. This project merges the microtonal richness of Arabic maqam with Western polyphony and harmony, producing a neo-classical sound where East meets West.
This project is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts and produced by MARSM Canada.
🎼 About Abdul-Wahab:
Abdul-Wahab Kayyali studied the oud at the National Music Conservatory of Amman, Jordan under the tutelage of Sakher Hattar. In Amman, he also received tutelage and guidance from Iraqi oud virtuoso Munir Bashir. He has performed widely as a soloist and an ensemble member throughout the Middle East, Europe, North and South America. In 2020, Abdul-Wahab co-founded the world music trio Les Arrivants in Montreal. He also released his debut solo album Juthoor in 2020.
🎻 About Naseem:
Grammy-nominated Palestinian cellist and composer Naseem Alatrash blends Arabic music with jazz and contemporary influences. He has performed at renowned venues like the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and the Monterey Jazz Festival. A two-time winner of Palestine’s National Music Competition, he also received a 2021 composition fellowship from the Mass Cultural Council. Alongside his solo career, he performs with the Turtle Island Quartet, Terence Blanchard, and Amir ElSaffar’s Rivers of Sound. He is also an assistant professor of Cello at Berklee College of Music and directs ensembles at Tufts University and Longy School of Music.
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