Omar Bashir (Arabic: عمر بشير) is an Iraqi-Hungarian musician. He is the son of Munir Bashir, who is widely considered to be one of the most important virtuosos in the history of the oud and a master of the modal tradition of Arabic maqam.
Omar Bashir was born in Budapest in 1970, where he began playing the oud with his father at the age of five. He later attended the Baghdad Music and Ballet School and eventually formed his own ensemble, which toured many countries around the world.[1] In 1991, he returned to Budapest and joined the Franz Liszt Academy.[1]
Omar performed both as a soloist and alongside his father Munir until the death of Munir in 1997.[1] Omar has toured many countries throughout his career and released more than 20 albums. His music blends traditional Arabic music and improvisation with other musical influences, such as jazz, flamenco music, and Hungarian Romani Music.[2]
Musical works and performances
Solo Discography
Omar Bashir has released a total of 23 CDs as a solo artist, as well as several albums recorded with his father and other musicians. His album Crazy Oud was released in 2010 by EMI and topped the charts in several Arab countries.[citation needed] Below is a chronological listing of his solo discography:
Music from Iraq - 1992
Duet of the Two Bashirs: Munir and Omar - 1994, lauded by French papers as the "best musical performance" of its time[citation needed]
From the Euphrates to the Danube - 1997, a fusion of oud and Western music. The title references the rivers near where he grew up and was born, respectively.
Ashwaq - 1998, a solo oud performance
My Memories - 1998, featuring oud and percussion instruments
Flamenco Night - 1998, recording of Omar's last concert with his father before the latter's passing
Al Andalus - 1999, pioneering combination of oud and guitar, produced by Shahin Production in Lebanon
Zikrayati - 1999, meaning "my memories," performed on oud with percussion
Live Solo Oud Performance - 2000, recorded in Beirut, Lebanon
Maqam - 2000
Sound of Civilizations - 2001, in Buddha Bar style
To My Father - 2002, oud and percussion improvisations on pieces performed with his father
Baghdadiyat with Shara Taha - 2002
Gypsy Oud - 2003, blending oud with HungarianGypsy music
Latin Oud - 2004, first rendition of Latin tunes on oud
Oud Hawl al Alam ("Oud Around the World") - 2004, debuted live in Budapest, pioneering oud and guitar combination
Crazy Oud - 2010, diverse styles including Iraqi maqam, rumba, flamenco, blues, ambient, classical, folklore, and improvisation
The Platinum Collection - EMI 2011
Masters of Oud - 2010, duets by Munir and Omar Bashir, released by EMI, including remixes "Baghdad Blues - Desert Launch", "Mesopotamix" and "Café du Paris"
Takasim - 2012, solo oud recording produced by INEDIT Records
Lebanon: Almadina Theatre - Beirut, Alhariri Theatre - Sajda
Egypt: The Opera House in Cairo and Alexandria
Syria: City Theatre, Mar Elyan Church & The International Festival
Jordan: The Royal Theatre & Jerash Festival
Tunisia: Al Mashtal Theatre, Ken Festival
Morocco: Fes, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakesh, Tetouan, and Agadir. Oud Duo tour concert: Munir Bashir & Omar as well as solo oud performances in Mawazine Festival and Oud International Festival
Algeria: National Theatre
Palestine: Ramallah Popular Art Centre
UAE: Dubai and Abu Dhabi: Islamic Music Festival and WOMAD Festival
Bahrain: 5th Spring Cultural Festival
USA: Toured extensively through various US states, including New York, Washington, Durham, Arkansas, Denver, and others. Performed at prestigious venues such as Cambridge Academy, Lincoln Jazz Theatre, Symphony Space, The Duke University, World Culture Museum, Kennedy Centre
Canada: Montreal, Arab Music Festival (2008, 2015)
