Music as Resistance, Healing & Prayer | Flautist, Vocalist & Composer Naïssam Jalal

Music serves as a vital sanctuary and a form of spiritual recovery in a world frequently defined by violence, injustice, and fatigue. Flautist, vocalist & composer Naïssam Jalal shares her profound reflections on a career shaped by the search for belonging and the transformative power of sound. Growing up in Paris as the daughter of immigrants, she recounts facing persistent racism and discrimination, which eventually spurred a deep need to reconnect with her roots and understand her identity. She offers a nuanced look at her artistic evolution, from early Western classical training to her discovery of improvisation as a way to express the inexpressible. She reflects on her formative years in Cairo, describing the challenges of navigating society as a solo female musician and the immense generosity of mentors like violin legend Abdo Dagher.

 

0:00 Introduction

1:46 Growing up between Cultures

3:54 The Discovery of Improvisation

6:41 A Search for Roots in Damascus and Cairo

9:00 Learnings from the Legends of Egypt

11:44 Early Collaborations at the Cairo Opera House

17:42 Returning to Paris and Processing Hardship

21:04 Navigating Art through Conflict and War

23:32 The Birth of Rhythms of Resistance

29:23 Music as a Political Witness

31:01 Capturing the Scream of the Earth

36:54 Exploring Hindustani Classical Traditions

44:00 Seeking Shelter and Recovery through Sound

51:44 Reflections on a Burning World

 

Naïssam Jalal is an acclaimed French-Syrian flautist, vocalist, and composer. Born in Paris to Syrian parents, she is celebrated for her genre-defying music that blends jazz, Western chamber music, and classical Arabic sounds. Her highly spiritual, cosmopolitan work has earned her prestigious awards like the Victoires du Jazz.

 

Connect with Naïssam Jalal 👉 https://instagram.com/naissamjalal

Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu

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