The Arab Blues

The Arab Blues traces an innovative and ecstatic trajectory between the call of tradition and the response of the diaspora. The basis of their arts is the Turath, the canon of classical Middle Eastern compositions and improvisational techniques.

Doors 7pm

Start 7:30pm

Karim Nagi is an Egyptian native and Rami Gabriel is of Lebanese-Egyptian descent – together, as The Arab Blues, they bridge the gap between tradition and innovation, using their Middle Eastern heritage and passions for Chicago’s jazz and blues scene. Gabriel plays guitar, oud and buzuq, while Nagi plays riqq and tublah, at least.  The result is an original expression of immigrant artistry with passionate musicality and revolutionary attitude.

“The hermetic mixture of these musical elements make for a miraculous sonic blaze. It’s like receiving a smoldering telegram in the ear from a vivid and ancient world.” (Evanston Round Table)