A MUST-see for all world and classical world music fans, Le Trio Joubran, are a unique trio of Palestinian brothers whose heart-stoppingly beautiful oud playing will touch your soul. Sons of a master oud craftsman from the Biblical city of Nazareth, Samir, the eldest at 32, is a virtuoso and has already built up an international reputation. He was inspired to form an oud trio after listening to contemporary flamenco and jazz fusion guitarists and wondering, "Why can't the oud sound shiny like that?" He is joined by Wissam, aged 23, who was apprenticed to his father and became the first stringed instrument maker from the Arab World to enter the Antonio Stradivari Institute in Italy. Wissam crafted the three brother instruments played by the trio in the Joubran family's tradition, bringing a total of six brothers to the stage! Adnan, the youngest at 20, is considered a prodigy by his brothers and his full musical talent is just emerging. Together, the brothers are as one. Having played together over the course of a lifetime, they form a mesmerising musical unit and have such an intense connection on stage that each seems to have an innate knowledge of what the others will do. The oud, or Arab lute, is the voice of Palestinian tradition and classical Arab music. Its ancient origins date back as far as Mesopotamia and Pharonic Egypt, it is a distant cousin of Russia's balalaika and Japan's biwa, and the forefather of the European lute, brought to Western Europe by the Troubadours (from the Arabic for 'lutanist') via Moorish Spain Considered the king of instruments in the Arab world, the oud remains popular today throughout North Africa and the Near and Middle East. In unison and in turn, the trio's repertoire of elegant melodies, intricate arabesques and high tempo, percussive playing is simply stunning. Their subtle exploration of the Arab tradition is fused with contemporary influences, from flamenco to popular music. Le Trio Joubran will be performing at the Queen's Hall, Narberth, on July 6, in a concert presented by SPAN. Telephone (01834) 869323 for tickets.
