Souren Baronian — Taksim

Souren Baronian is a tremendously talented Armenian-American clarinetist with extensive experience in both middle-eastern music and jazz. While his middle-eastern jazz music has influences primarily from Turkey and Armenia, and therefore isn't "Arabic jazz" exactly, I felt that the kinship of maqam-based music made it worthy of mention here. He studied with the reclusive jazz legend Lennie Tristano as well as the respected Turkish master Safet Gundeger, and has performed with many jazz greats like Carla Bley, Phil Woods, Paul Motian.

 He leads Taksim, his group that presents an original synthesis of jazz and eastern music. Their album from 2002 "Blue Algae" is worth a listen for Boronian's unique compositional and playing styles, as well as the masterful musicians in the group like the phenomenal oud player Haig Manoukian.
 

In addition, he performs in ensemble that have a somewhat more traditional approach, like his trio Transition, which released a wonderful album called Desert Winds.
 

Anouar Brahem, part 2

	Astrakan Café - 2000 Anouar Brahem : oud Barbaros Erköse : clarinet Lassad Hosni : bendir, darbouka
	Le Pas du Chat Noir - 2002 A very subdued album that rewards repeated listening. Brahem's oud playing does not dominate, but blends with the piano and accordion, with echoes of Bill Evans, Philip Glass, Schubert and Chopin. Anouar Brahem : oud François Couturier : piano Jean Louis Matinier : accordion
	Voyage du Sahar - 2006 Very similar album to Le Pas du Chat Noir Anouar Brahem : oud François Couturier : piano Jean Louis Matinier : accordion
	The Astounding Eyes Of Rita - 2009 Brahem returns here to a more energetic style, with playing and compositions reminiscent of Astrakan Café and Thimar. Anouar Brahem : oud Klaus Gesing : bass clarinet Björn Meyer : bass Khaled Yassine : darbouka, bendir
	Madar - 1994 This is Garbarek's record, and it contains some compelling music. However, Garbarek has an unusual and strident tone of the saxophone, which is not everyone's cup of tea. Jan Garbarek : tenor and soprano saxophones Anouar Brahem : oud Ustad Shaukat Hussain : tabla

There are also some bootlegs of Anouar Brahem concerts floating around teh internets. I don't want to link to them directly, but the concerts are:

Live In Salvator Kirche Church at Duisburg, Germany
Live at Teatro Sociale, Bellinzona, Switzerland, 1998 (with John Surman and Dave Holland)
Zürich International Jazz Festival 1993 (with Jan Garbarek and Shaukat Hussain)

Tareq Abboushi

Abboushi has been playing the buzuq starting at the National Conservatory of Music in Ramallah, Palestine, and continuing in New York City. He also is an accomplished jazz pianist, having studied at William Paterson University. His band Shusmo has a self-titled release that is well worth getting, with a great mix of original tunes and improvisations. Clarinetist Lefteris Bournias is a fiery complement to the more introspective musings of Abboushi's buzuq.

Tareq Abboushi - Buzuq, percussion, composition Lefteris Bournias - Clarinet Héctor Morales - Congas, Cajón Zafer Tawil - Riq, Durbakkeh, Cymbals Dave Phillips- Bass

Anouar Brahem

All of Brahem's available releases are on ECM. He has a simpler, more contemplative style than most oud players, and has on occasion shown his more traditional side. He rarely plays microtonal maqamat.

Selected discography:

	Barzakh - 1991 With spare instumentation, much of the album is quite understated, though not without flights of virtuosity. Anouar Brahem : oud Béchir Selmi : violin Lassad Hosni : percussion
	Conte de l'incroyable amour - 1992 One of Brahem's more traditional-sounding records, there is a lot of nice playing here by everyone, though the compositions do not stand out as Brahem's best. Anouar Brahem : oud Barbaros Erköse : clarinet Kudsi Erguner : nai Lassad Hosni : bendir,darbouka
	Khomsa - 1995 Featuring a larger ensemble and more jazz-influenced writing, Khomsa was rated 4 stars by Downbeat Anouar Brahem : oud Richard Gálliano : accordion François Couturier : piano, synthesizer Jean Marc Larché : soprano saxophone Béchir Selmi : violin Palle Danielsson : double-bass Jon Christensen : drums
	Thimar - 1998 This is one of my favorite albums. Haunting sounds, excellent compositions and beautiful playing by all. 4 stars from DownBeat. Anouar Brahem : oud John Surman : bass clarinet and soprano saxophone Dave Holland : double-bass