Biography

Basel Zayed is a virtuoso oud player and an acclaimed vocalist skilled in classical and contemporary Arabic music. He draws on deep experience with the Maqam (Arabic) music tradition to explore the beauty and universality of Middle Eastern music, especially when combined with other musical styles, such as jazz. Basel is also a trained pianist and skilled musical arranger. He has composed and arranged music for several successful artistic projects and performing groups. He also creates and records original soundtracks for movies, plays, and dance troupes. 
 Basel began his music career as a composer, vocalist, and professional oud artist, and has developed a reputation as successful musical leader and conductor. He has performed at many international music venues in various roles—featured artist, bandleader, conductor—in Sweden, Italy, France, Spain, Denmark, Lebanon, UK, US, Jordan, Egypt, and Palestine. In addition, Basel is an experienced music educator with a background in music therapy. He holds a master’s degree from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama at City University of London. He lives in Massachusetts with his wife and two children, where he works as an artist, clinician, and educator.