Ibrahim Maalouf has created a fusion of Afrobeat, jazz and world music. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Trumpet player Ibrahim Maalouf has an interesting way of describing himself. “If you call me 100 percent Arab, it is true. But if you call me 100 percent French, that’s also true,” he says. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, the 44-year-old musician relocated to Paris as a child during the Lebanese civil war in the 1980s. Since Arabic music runs in the family, he grew up in two diverse cultures simultaneously.

Ibrahim will perform in a show titled ‘Sounds of Jazz’ at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center (NMACC) Grand Theater in Mumbai on November 29. He and Cameroon-born American bassist and vocalist Richard Bona would do separate sets. Ibrahim will be accompanied by his nine-member group Trumpets of Michel-Ange, which also includes a guitarist, saxophonist and four other trumpeters. He says, “My playing uses a lot of Arabic elements and although it took time, other trumpeters did a great job of adopting my style.”

Michel-Ange’s Trumpet Was released in September, 2024 Photo courtesy: Special arrangement

Michel-Ange’s Trumpet It is also the name of Maalouf’s latest album, which was released in September this year. It is a tribute to his grandfather, a musician and father, Nassim Maalouf, who invented a quarter-tone trumpet that could play Arabic modes not possible on a regular trumpet. Ibrahim says, “Much of the album is joyful and celebratory, I worked on all the compositions, and the idea was to fulfill my father’s dream of sharing his quarter-tone trumpet with the rest of the world.” The album also features guest appearances from jazz musician Trombone Shorty, late Malian kora player Toumani Diabaté and singer Andia Owens.

This seven-song record connects Africa and the Middle East. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Ibrahim’s unique trumpet style was also recognized by the legendary Quincy Jones, who decided to promote him. Her other achievements include performing with Sting at the reopening of the Bataclan theater in Paris, performing in memory of the victims of the 2015 Paris terrorist attacks, and collaborating with Beninese-French singer Angélique Kidjo on the Grammy-nominated 2022 album . queen of shebaHe says, “My conversation with Sting was a game-changer, and I was really impressed by his humility. With Angélique, I had the opportunity to learn more about African music.

Interestingly, Ibrahim started out by playing Western classical Baroque music. His father had studied in Paris under the great French trumpeter Maurice André. As a teenager, he went on tour with his father, and his repertoire included works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Henry Purcell, and Antonio Vivaldi. He also learned the basics of Arabic music from his father. He adds, “Although these were the basics, being a trumpet player, one has to follow the work of jazz legend Miles Davis at some point. It was the first time I heard someone playing so softly and yet making such an impact.”

Ibrahim says that one of his aims is to keep experimenting with new sounds. Thus, queen of sheba is a seven-song record bridging Africa and the Middle East, with Angélique writing the lyrics in the Yoruba language and Ibrahim composing and arranging the music. their 2022 album ability to love He moved into another realm, as he collaborated with many hip-hop and pop artists. The title track features renowned singer Gregory Porter.

In capacity for love Ibrahim collaborated with hip-hop and pop artists. , Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Among Indian musicians, Ibrahim has worked with London-based tabla player Talvin Singh and Tunisian-French oud player Smadaj on the 2009 live track ‘Fouguesse’, and with drummer Trilok Gurtu on the 2020 track ‘Diaspora’. “I have also followed Ravi Shankar’s work and the new things that Anushka Shankar is doing,” he says. I love Sid Sriram’s voice and singing style. On my visit to India, I hope to meet some musicians and discuss ideas.

Ibrahim says that the biggest influence on him has been Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali. To demonstrate, he also hums the opening lines of the hit song ‘Awaargi’. “It has been said many times that music has no boundaries, and it is absolutely true. In these times of conflict, music can play a major role in bringing peace.”

Although he and Richard Bona are doing separate sets at the Mumbai show, Ibrahim is hopeful that they will play a number or two together. They had previously worked together on the song ‘Miva in Wonderland’ from Ibrahim’s album 40 tunesFor his part, Richard has played with frontline musicians such as keyboardist Joe Zawinul, guitarists Larry Coryell, Mike Stern and George Benson, and saxophonists Michael Brecker and Branford Marsalis. Jazz fans are in for a treat later this month.