BASSAM SABA
Multi-instrumentalist
Bassam Saba of Lebanon is a world-renowned virtuoso, multi-instrumentalist, and leading figure of Arabic music. Saba studied nay, oud, and violin at the Lebanon National Conservatory. He received his BA in Western Classical Music and Flute Performance at the Conservatoire Municipal des Gobelins in Paris, and Masters in Western Flute Performance and Music Education from the Gnessin Musical Pedagogical Institute in Moscow. Saba has toured extensively with the renowned Diva of the Arab World, Fairouz, as well as with Marcel Khalife, Simon Shaheen, and Ziad Rahbani.
He has collaborated with classical and pop stars such as Yo-Yo Ma, Sting, Alicia Keys, and Santana, and jazz icons such as Herbie Hancock and Quincy Jones. Saba, one of the most sought-after teachers of Arabic music, co-founded and directs the New York Arabic Orchestra. Saba has been invited to perform as a soloist for the Hanover Philharmonic, Qatar Philharmonic, Beirut Philharmonic, Zurich Orchestra and East Oakland Bay Symphony, among others.