Marwan Abado مروان عبادو - Kabila

Marwan Abado is a Palestinian singer, composer and oud player. (The oud is an oriental short-necked lute.) Abado's music has its roots in the classical Arabic musical tradition of the "TAQ'SIM," which is not restricted to particular rhythms, but which springs from the inner impulses of the musician. Contemporary Arab poetry and prose often provide the inspiration for Abado´s lyrics; thought-provoking commentary on the political realities of the Palestinians is interwoven through his texts.

These songs add a unique dimension to contemporary Arabic music by forging a new relationship between performer and audience, challenging the audience to listen carefully to the words of the songs and to experience the quiet melodies-- in contrast to a tradition of being transported by a rhythmic repetition of phrases which transcend meaning and sweep the audience away on a tide of feeling. Deliberately distancing himself from the genre of didactic protest songs which raise a scolding finger to the audience, Abado chooses a poetic register for his songs, whose themes fall somewhere between lamenting sorrow and courageous hope. His music is an improvisational mix of Oriental forms and Western elements.

Marwan Abado was born as a Palestinian refugee in Beirut, Lebanon in 1967. He moved to Vienna, Austria in 1985, to join his brothers and continue his studies. Concurrently, he is performing as a solo musician and member of several ensembles in Austria and worldwide. (Italy, Germany, Hungary, Czech Republic, Belgium, Switzerland, Sweden, France, Algeria, Lebanon, Jordan, Marocco, Tunis, Palestine and Cuba.)
Abado's commitment to social and cultural issues has led him to be involved in activities beyond the world of music, such as:

• Foreign Student Representative at the Austrian National Student Union, July 1993 - June 1997.

• Initiated and coordinated the project, "World Music in 3/4 Time," which brought together 17 music groups from all over the world, to perform a series of concerts and produce a CD to promote music from different cultures and help these performers to gain an audience in Austria. 1995.

• Holding workshops in schools and at youth centers to introduce young people to oriental music. 1996 to present.

• Organizing and implementing recreational programs to bring together Austrian and immigrant youth. Summer 1995, Summer 1996.

• Holding lectures at the Orient Acadamy, Hammerpurgstall, to introduce Arab-Oriental music theory to a Western audience. Winter Semester 1996 and Summer Semester 1997.

Marwan Abado was born as a Palestinian refugee in Beirut, Lebanon in 1967. As a child from Christian Palestinians he experiences already as child the fate of living the diaspora. 1985 Abado moved to Austria to continue his studies with the Irakian Oud-virtuoso Asim Chalabi. In Vienna he finds a new home as musician, singer, composer and poet. Abado´s instrument, the oud (the oriental, short-necked lute), is for the arabian music nearly of the same importance as the piano in the Western culture. Abado's music has its roots in the classical Arabic music tradition of the TAQ´SIM, which is not restricted to particular rhythms, but which springs from the inner impulses of the musician. On the one hand Abado´s melodies and musical concepts take their power from the deep relatedness to his roots. He is conscious about the rich Arabic tradition which he is “musically living” not only quoting. Otherwise Abado easily steps across the border between orient and occident by seeking the confrontation with European traditions and musicians. This results in Abados specific sound :

cosmopolitan, borderless music. Contemporary poetry and prose often provide the inspiration for Abado's lyrics; thought-provoking commentary on the political realities of the Palestinians is interwoven through his texts. Since April 2000 he builds a Duo with Peter Rosmanith. Apart from this his artistic work with musicians like Otto Lechner, Timna Brauer, Roland Neuwirth, Allegre Corrêa, Krzystof Dobrek, Aliosha Biz, Franz Hautzinger and many other Austrian and international musicians and poets show his artistic openess. Since 1987 Marwan Abado travels from concert to concert in Europe, Algeria, Tunesia, Marokko, Palestine, of course the Libanon, but also in Cuba and the USA. His work is much more than a pure concert. His creative output includes also film and theatre music as well as concepts for cultural institutions and lectures about arabian music. Official Web Site :

www.abado.net

01. Lam’ Ma L’hamamm
02. Samai Lammi
03. Kaan Ya Ma Kaan
04. Kabila
05. Sadiki
06. Hawa
07. Wada
08. A Love Story Between a Camel and a Cow
09. Hawilou
10. Taeru Le’ Raàdi

Marwan Abado – oud, vocals

Peter Rosmantih - percussion

Joanna Lewis – violine

Otto Lechner – accordion