Lucky to Grow Up in a Pool of Sufi Music

By Faridul Anwar Farinrodin, "Music in different shades" - New Straits Times - Persekutuan, Malaysia
Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Telling stories through music, Tunisia-born singer Dhafer Youssef lives in Paris and sings with Norwegian band members. He finds it hard put to put a name to his music but it tells stories just the same.

DHAFER Youssef’s music defies categorisation. It’s easy to call it a blend of “sufism, Nordic electronica and jazz”. His vocals — soaring, uplifting, achingly painful yet gleefully liberating — reflects a mastery of the Quranic reading discipline.

It meets with the sounds of modern technology, but that doesn’t compromise its beauty and integrity. Rather, it defines his musicianship and takes it to a level rarely enjoyed by many.

There is a kaleidoscopic of colours in his tunes, which are inspired by a broad spectrum of music including Indian, Brazilian, jazz, classical and electronica. Critics call it nu-jazz, but Dhafer refuses to be typecast by a genre.

“I don’t agree with the label but I have learnt to accept it. My music has become a product and it needs a name,” said the acclaimed oud (traditional Middle Eastern lute) player and singer in a phone interview from his home in Paris recently.

Tunisia-born Dhafer, 41, who is performing at the Mosaic Music Festival on March 11 in Singapore, said his music is about “telling stories and is open to interpretations”.

When asked how would he would define it, the musician said: “Maybe when I am 90 years old then I’d be able to put a name to it.”

He added: “I am Tunisian growing up in Europe and my music is a fusion — it reflects everything around me. I’d like my music to represent today’s world.”

Sufi purists may have bones to pick with him due to the strong presence of modernised sufism in his music. In his defence, Dhafer insisted “I don’t represent the sufi tradition. I am just lucky to grow up in a pool of sufi music.”

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Dhafer last went back to his hometown in Teboulba in January to see his family. “It was hard in the beginning to convince my parents of my career path because it is believed that musicians don’t make a good living.

“Eventually, they realised that I am passionate in what I do. Now, they are happy with my achievements. I get so much support from my family, who believes in me and support my decisions.”

Dhafer will be performing at Esplanade’s Recital Studio at 7.30pm. There will be a post-show talk by the musician and the audience is welcome to take part.

Tickets for Mosaic Music Festival Singapore 2008 (from Friday to March 16) are available from Esplanade’s box-office at mezzanine level (tel: +65-6828-8377), SISTIC hotline (tel: +65-6348-5555), the festival website at www.mosaicmusicfestival.com and all SISTIC outlets.

[Visit Dhafer Youssef at http://www.dhaferyoussef.com/].