🎸 André Abaji

In his veins flows Lebanese, Armenian, Turkish, Greek and Syrian blood. For this journey to the Orient - composed and recorded exclusively for Network - Abaji set out on the trail of his origins.

Born in Beirut, he carries within him an exceptional musical heritage that shines through in each of his compositions, blending Oriental traditions with modern acoustic guitar sounds.

The result is a varied kaleidoscope of calm sounds evoking the blues, inspired by the immensity of deserts, the aridity of steep mountains and the fertility of valleys and oases.

Abaji invites us to listen to absolutely unique instruments such as a very old double-necked guitar from which he draws sounds reminiscent of the harp, tampoura and guitar; a clarinet as well as a flute and a bamboo saxophone which he plays with a hoarse timbre and a "sitar guitar" specially created for him, which, with the help of a bow, transforms into an oriental violin.

To this is added a bouzouki which he plays virtuosically in the rebetiko tradition and the oud lute in honor of his Armenian great-grandmother who was once famous with this instrument.

Some pieces are accompanied by percussion, on others, Abaji sings with his magnificent deep voice texts of Arab poetry of which he is the author.

André Abaji Portrait

In Concert

With His Instruments