DHAFER YOUSSEF

Tunisian vocalist and composer Dhafer Youssef is a contemporary master of the oud. Born in 1967 in Teboulba, he descends from a lineage of muezzins, and discovered the power of his voice as a child, singing in the village’s hammam. His musical introduction began with liturgical songs before turning to oud and groove, influenced by electrical music. After completing his studies at the Tunis conservatory, he flew to Vienna, where he fell under the thrall of jazz and world music.

He created Zeryab, his first group, and recorded “Malak” (1999), which marked his entry on the international stage. His new approach merged jazz, oriental, and electronic music, leading to “Electric Sufi” (2001) and “Digital Prophecy” (2003).

His style evolves with “Birds Requiem” (2013) and “Diwan of Beauty and Odd” (2016), in which he explores the contrast of beauty and strangeness. This world-renowned artist has collaborated with figures such as Zakir Hussain, Nguyên Lê, and Wayne Shorter. With “Streets of Minarets” (2022), he delivered an album of rare finesse, the fruit of five years of maturation. Surrounded by exceptional musicians such as Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, and Vinnie Colaiuta, he pursues his spiritual quest, mixing jazz, Sufism and classical music. Dhafer Youssef is an insatiable innovator, transcending genres to carry the sounds of oud to new horizons.