M E L Mrabet

Musician/Producer Multi-Instrumentalist (Oud/Guitar/Saz/Guembri/Vocals/Percussions)
It is a fact of nature that the deeper and wider the roots, the stronger the tree, and the longer it will thrive. I think the same holds true with music and artists. An artist with deep roots in a tradition, who understands how it connects to and is influenced by others, can create new work that is a natural, seamless extension of all that has gone before. I think this can be said of Mel M'rabet. A child of musicians, he grew up Granada, Andalusia, where he began studying the oud as a child. Living where he did, it's not surprising that he was immersed in Andalusian music or that he was drawn to the traditions of its constituent elements: the music played by the East Indians, Turks, Kurds and Armenians, as well as music of the Roma, especially flamenco... M'rabet has performed with caliber musicians such as Steve Potts, Omar Sosa and Cheb Mami, as well as Chano Dominguez and other prominent Spanish flamenco artists. Mel has become a virtuoso on the oud and a highly respected singer and composer, but he is not a preservationist. Mastery of the traditions and powerful technique has resulted in a very distinctive style of playing that reflects both his travels and his desire to extend the possibilities for the instrument. To that end, he has even begun to help build ouds with his brother Otman Al Merabet, to enhance the sound and range. Mel M'rabet, with his roots deep in Andalusia, has become an artist who personifies a proud living tradition. Mrabet is currently planning recordings that consist solely of Oud compositions hat express the potential that is yet to be unleashed. The Oud has it own technique, even though Guitar, Sitar and Sarod can also be used. The Oud has such great potential, and Mrabet will illustrate this point by recording different pieces based on Takasims to show its many different facets and multi dimensions. Based on his roots intertwined with the eclectic and diverse artistic surrounding, Mrabet creates compositions that reflect the richness of the Canadian cultural climate, and he contributes to the performing arts landscape in his community and nationally. Mrabet has released 2 CDs, Andalusian legacy, and SoloSoul, and has also collaborated with many great artists such as Omar Sosa, Salif Keita, Steve Potts, just to mention a few. He has also been awarded many grants from the Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council, The City of Ottawa and many other institutions to pursue different projects including composition, music research, sound recording, etc He is recognized among his peers as a virtuoso, versatile and innovator on the Oud and Guitar. And many documentaries worldwide have featured his music. Mrabet M has toured extensively across the US, Canada, Quebec and in Europe (Spain, France and Germany). He was featured next to the Omar Sosa on Bravo television, next to Steve Potts on Television Española, and performed with Cesaria Evora and Cheb Mami at the Spectrum concert hall in Montreal. He performed at the Montreal Jazz Festival, Vancouver Folk Festival, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Calgary Folk Festival, Jazz East at Halifax Jazz Festival, Peterborough Folk Festival, Guelph jazz Festival, Harrison Spring Folk Festival, Chicago Jazz Festival, Washington DC Jazz Festival, Granada Jazz Festival, Andalusia ( Spain ), Germany & France tour, just to mention a few. Mrabets compositions were nominated for the 2002-2003 Genie Awards for best original music on the film Khaled. Mrabet has received many grants from the Canada Council for the Arts since 1995 to date. His career has been successful and fulfilling, however a new outlook with new product is in the horizon which will explore new territories and playing aesthetic. Mrabets live performances have become the most exciting part of the music business, and it's not only the playing; it's all the other magic that happens between the audience and himself. His goal has always been to draw the audience as deep as possible into the music, and feed from their energy. A successful touring performer, Mrabet has brought his "breathtaking" solo and with his trio shows across Canada, into the USA, France, Germany and most recently to Spain. He has appeared at many prestigious festivals, world-class theatres, concert halls and infamous Blues, World, Jazz clubs around the globe. Playing the Oud, and Saz, Mrabet quickly envelops the audience into a trance atmosphere with hypnotic vocals and haunting melodies with modes turning into mood settings. Blending Andalusian-North African with Flamenco, blues, a sprinkle of Jazz and compelling grooves, Mrabet's World Fusion has a unique effect and it is hard to resist, an unpredictable journey that keeps audiences in tune with his musical universe. ..realeditorbest profile tools..realeditorbest profile tools