Music of Jordan
Encyclopedia
The traditional music
of Jordan
has a long history. Rural zajal
songs, with improvised poetry played with a Mijwiz
, Tablah, Arghul
, Oud
, rabab and reed pipe
ensemble accompanying is popular. Recently Jordan
has seen the rise of several prominent DJs and popstars.
, Toni Qattan and singer Hani Mitwasi (the winner of the Jordan Awards 2010) are perhaps Jordan's biggest stars. Other well-known Jordanian musicians are Qamar Badwan, who won the golden prize in the 2000 Cairo Song Festival, percussionist Hani Naser, the pianist
, and composer
Khalid Asad.
A new age group called RUM has gained regional and international popularity since its inception in 1998, Rum is considered the most successful Jordanian musical group , and has gained a wide range of fans from all over the world, Rum has performed in Tunisia, Morocco, Syria, Palestine, Turkey, Kazakhstan,France, Netherland, Germany, Italy, and the United States. A very important factor that contributed to Rum group's huge success is the fact that the group performs original compositions by Tareq al Nasser (the composer
, founder and leader of the group), many of which were composed for Arabic TV drama series that gained wide popularity in the Arab world including the TV Drama series: 'Nihayat Rajol Shuja', 'Al Jawareh' and 'Al Kawaser', 'Al Malek Farouq', 'Yawmeyyat Mudeer Amm', and many others, the group performs instrumentals, songs, and rearranged Jordanian folklore. Rum group has presented Jordan in many international events, one of the most important performances took place at The John Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC back in March 2009 as part of "Arabesque .. Arts of the Arab world" festival in the United States.
Sign of Thyme on the other hand has been gaining Regional popularity with its Oriental-Jazz-Ethnic Fusion, the band has been active since 2004 and till this day produced 2 albums. Many Jordanian singers constantly use Western melodies and fuse it with Middle Eastern music bringing a fresh new generation of music.The controversial female singer, Malak El Nasser, known for her extremely seductive video clips is another popular Jordanian singer.
In Amman
, the capital of Jordan
, there has been a movement of alternative music in the last two decades. Rock bands that mix western and eastern influences are continuously becoming more popular. Ethereal was a famous oriental rock band early this decade, they were the first band in Jordan to have a large base of fans, their music was played on local radios. They ranked first when they presented Jordan in the European youth festival in Turkey in the year 1999.
At the present there are some popular bands in Jordan such as JadaL
, DistorteD, and Illusions - who are famous for their pure classic rock style. Although not based in Jordan Hard rock
guitarist Naser Mestarihi
is Jordanian on his father's side.
Jordan is also known to have a fairly large underground heavy metal
scene that is always erroneously connected to satanism causing people to attack it. Examples of Jordanian metal bands are Tyrant Throne (Death metal
), Chalice Of Doom (Doom
/Death metal
), Bilocate
(Doom
/Death metal
),and Ajdath who currently reside in Poland. Other bands, like Augury (Black metal
) and Darkcide (Doom
/Death metal
) had to stop due to the lack of support or band members leaving the country, but not all Metal bands are connected to satanism, as some Metal bands are not satanist at all, and they do worship god. Having Rock
subgenres such as Heavy Metal
, Thrash Metal
, Speed Metal
, and Hard Rock
.
One of the most important musicians in Jordan are the Faqir family which extends for more than 100 years.
Jordan's western radio station, Play 99.6, works towards exposing new local artists, including many western pop singers such as Humam Ammari, Al'a Ayyoub, and Walid Karadsheh.
The thriving Indie rock
scene was achieved thanks to artists such as Kais Khoury, Ibrahim Baggili, Hani Mitwasi and Yousef Kawar, as well as the Cowboys from Jordan; a band managed by Yousef Kawar himself. Other notable genres in Jordan are Hip Hop; which was popularized through DJ Shadia (Shadia Bseiso) through her regional radio show "The 5th Element" which was the only show in the Middle East to broadcast in three different countries every week (Jordan, Lebanon and Syria) from 2005 to 2008. DJ Shadia had previously opened for global stars such as Akon
, 50 Cent
, Sean Paul
and Massari
. Other popular Hip Hop artists include Last Standing Poet and MC Niz-r
.
As of recent times, Jordan's Trance
and electronic music scenes are rising rapidly within Jordanian youth, and techno and house have become staples in the musical tastes in Jordan. This was helped by the rapid rise of talented DJs such as Bee Bee and DJ Flava, as well as heavy airplay of trance songs on Jordanian radio channels. Many raves and underground techno gatherings occur, and electronic music is currently reaching number one status of music genre in Jordan; such a status was reached due to DJs playing continuously throughout Amman's many nightspots, a few notable DJs were Dj Moee, Ali Saadi, Zafer Saadi, DJ Exoda, and Shadia Bseiso,who has DJ'd all around Jordan and the Middle East.
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
of Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
has a long history. Rural zajal
Zajal
Zajal is a traditional form of oral strophic poetry declaimed in a colloquial dialect with ancient roots in a number of Mediterranean cultures. The form is similar to Muwashshah. The origin of zajal is Al-Andalus...
songs, with improvised poetry played with a Mijwiz
Mijwiz
The mijwiz is a traditional musical instrument of Jordan, Syria and the Druze. Its name in Arabic means "dual," or "married" because of its consisting of two, short, bamboo reed pipes put together, making the mijwiz a double-pipe, single-reed woodwind instrument...
, Tablah, Arghul
Arghul
The arghul , also spelled argul, arghoul, arghool, argol, or yarghul , is a traditional Arabic musical instrument...
, Oud
Oud
The oud is a pear-shaped stringed instrument commonly used in North African and Middle Eastern music. The modern oud and the European lute both descend from a common ancestor via diverging paths...
, rabab and reed pipe
Reed pipe
A reed pipe is an organ pipe that is sounded by a vibrating brass strip known as a reed. Air under pressure is directed towards the reed, which vibrates at a specific pitch. This is in contrast to flue pipes, which contain no moving parts and produce sound solely through the vibration of air...
ensemble accompanying is popular. Recently Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
has seen the rise of several prominent DJs and popstars.
Traditional Jordanian Musical Instruments
- FluteFluteThe flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
\ reed pipeReed pipeA reed pipe is an organ pipe that is sounded by a vibrating brass strip known as a reed. Air under pressure is directed towards the reed, which vibrates at a specific pitch. This is in contrast to flue pipes, which contain no moving parts and produce sound solely through the vibration of air...
known as Shababa - MijwizMijwizThe mijwiz is a traditional musical instrument of Jordan, Syria and the Druze. Its name in Arabic means "dual," or "married" because of its consisting of two, short, bamboo reed pipes put together, making the mijwiz a double-pipe, single-reed woodwind instrument...
- ArghulArghulThe arghul , also spelled argul, arghoul, arghool, argol, or yarghul , is a traditional Arabic musical instrument...
- OudOudThe oud is a pear-shaped stringed instrument commonly used in North African and Middle Eastern music. The modern oud and the European lute both descend from a common ancestor via diverging paths...
- Tablah
- RebabRebabThe rebab , also rebap, rabab, rebeb, rababah, or al-rababa) is a type of string instrument so named no later than the 8th century and spread via Islamic trading routes over much of North Africa, the Middle East, parts of Europe, and the Far East...
- BagpipesBagpipesBagpipes are a class of musical instrument, aerophones, using enclosed reeds fed from a constant reservoir of air in the form of a bag. Though the Scottish Great Highland Bagpipe and Irish uilleann pipes have the greatest international visibility, bagpipes of many different types come from...
known as Gerbeh - RiqRiqThe riq is a type of tambourine used as a traditional instrument in Arabic music. It is an important instrument in both folk and classical music throughout the Arabic-speaking world...
- SimsimiyyaSimsimiyyaThe simsimiyya is a traditional plucked lyre used in Egypt, Jordan and Yemen.It is mostly used by Bedouins as a social instrument. In Egypt it is traditionally used to accompany a dance called bambutiyya, as well as among the musicians called suhbagiyya, in the cities of Port Said and...
found in the port city of AqabaAqabaAqaba is a coastal city in the far south of Jordan, the capital of Aqaba Governorate at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba. Aqaba is strategically important to Jordan as it is the country's only seaport. Aqaba is best known today as a diving and beach resort, but industrial activity remains important...
Popular music
The musician and composer Sameer Baghdadi, the bedouin singer Omar Al-Abdillat (known for his patriotic song "Hashemi, Hashemi"), Diana Karazon, winner of the Arab version of Pop IdolPop Idol
Pop Idol is a British television series which debuted on ITV on 6 October 2001. The show was a talent contest to decide the best new young pop singer in the United Kingdom, based on viewer voting and participation. Two series were broadcast - one in 2001-02 and a second in 2003...
, Toni Qattan and singer Hani Mitwasi (the winner of the Jordan Awards 2010) are perhaps Jordan's biggest stars. Other well-known Jordanian musicians are Qamar Badwan, who won the golden prize in the 2000 Cairo Song Festival, percussionist Hani Naser, the pianist
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
Khalid Asad.
A new age group called RUM has gained regional and international popularity since its inception in 1998, Rum is considered the most successful Jordanian musical group , and has gained a wide range of fans from all over the world, Rum has performed in Tunisia, Morocco, Syria, Palestine, Turkey, Kazakhstan,France, Netherland, Germany, Italy, and the United States. A very important factor that contributed to Rum group's huge success is the fact that the group performs original compositions by Tareq al Nasser (the composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, founder and leader of the group), many of which were composed for Arabic TV drama series that gained wide popularity in the Arab world including the TV Drama series: 'Nihayat Rajol Shuja', 'Al Jawareh' and 'Al Kawaser', 'Al Malek Farouq', 'Yawmeyyat Mudeer Amm', and many others, the group performs instrumentals, songs, and rearranged Jordanian folklore. Rum group has presented Jordan in many international events, one of the most important performances took place at The John Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington DC back in March 2009 as part of "Arabesque .. Arts of the Arab world" festival in the United States.
Sign of Thyme on the other hand has been gaining Regional popularity with its Oriental-Jazz-Ethnic Fusion, the band has been active since 2004 and till this day produced 2 albums. Many Jordanian singers constantly use Western melodies and fuse it with Middle Eastern music bringing a fresh new generation of music.The controversial female singer, Malak El Nasser, known for her extremely seductive video clips is another popular Jordanian singer.
In Amman
Amman
Amman is the capital of Jordan. It is the country's political, cultural and commercial centre and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The Greater Amman area has a population of 2,842,629 as of 2010. The population of Amman is expected to jump from 2.8 million to almost...
, the capital of Jordan
Jordan
Jordan , officially the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan , Al-Mamlaka al-Urduniyya al-Hashemiyya) is a kingdom on the East Bank of the River Jordan. The country borders Saudi Arabia to the east and south-east, Iraq to the north-east, Syria to the north and the West Bank and Israel to the west, sharing...
, there has been a movement of alternative music in the last two decades. Rock bands that mix western and eastern influences are continuously becoming more popular. Ethereal was a famous oriental rock band early this decade, they were the first band in Jordan to have a large base of fans, their music was played on local radios. They ranked first when they presented Jordan in the European youth festival in Turkey in the year 1999.
At the present there are some popular bands in Jordan such as JadaL
JadaL
JadaL is a Jordanian Arabic Rock band Formed by Mahmoud Radaideh in in 2003 Amman, Jordan.Jadal are one of the first Arabic Rock bands in the region, starting their journey by grabbing listener’s attention with their cover “Kol Ma Gool Al-Tobah” for the legendary Egyptian artist Abdel Halim...
, DistorteD, and Illusions - who are famous for their pure classic rock style. Although not based in Jordan Hard rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
guitarist Naser Mestarihi
Naser Mestarihi
Naser Mestarihi is a Qatari born Jordanian-Pakistani guitarist based in Doha, Qatar who has been on the Qatari music scene since the age of 15...
is Jordanian on his father's side.
Jordan is also known to have a fairly large underground heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
scene that is always erroneously connected to satanism causing people to attack it. Examples of Jordanian metal bands are Tyrant Throne (Death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
), Chalice Of Doom (Doom
Doom metal
Doom metal is an extreme form of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other metal genres...
/Death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
), Bilocate
Bilocate
BILOCATE is a Dark Oriental metal band from Amman, Jordan, founded in 2002 by Ramzi Essayed, Waseem Essayed and Hani Al Abbadi. The band's style combines doom metal and black metal with Oriental elements.-History:...
(Doom
Doom metal
Doom metal is an extreme form of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other metal genres...
/Death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
),and Ajdath who currently reside in Poland. Other bands, like Augury (Black metal
Black metal
Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....
) and Darkcide (Doom
Doom metal
Doom metal is an extreme form of heavy metal music that typically uses slower tempos, low-tuned guitars and a much "thicker" or "heavier" sound than other metal genres...
/Death metal
Death metal
Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....
) had to stop due to the lack of support or band members leaving the country, but not all Metal bands are connected to satanism, as some Metal bands are not satanist at all, and they do worship god. Having Rock
Rock
Rock, rocks, the rock, or the rocks may refer to:-Geology and minerals:* Rock , naturally occurring solid aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids* Rock salt or halite, mineral form of sodium chloride-People:...
subgenres such as Heavy Metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
, Thrash Metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
, Speed Metal
Speed metal
Speed metal is a sub-genre of heavy metal music that originated in the late 1970s from NWOBHM and hardcore punk roots. It is described by Allmusic as "extremely fast, abrasive, and technically demanding" music....
, and Hard Rock
Hard rock
Hard rock is a loosely defined genre of rock music which has its earliest roots in mid-1960s garage rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock...
.
One of the most important musicians in Jordan are the Faqir family which extends for more than 100 years.
Jordan's western radio station, Play 99.6, works towards exposing new local artists, including many western pop singers such as Humam Ammari, Al'a Ayyoub, and Walid Karadsheh.
The thriving Indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
scene was achieved thanks to artists such as Kais Khoury, Ibrahim Baggili, Hani Mitwasi and Yousef Kawar, as well as the Cowboys from Jordan; a band managed by Yousef Kawar himself. Other notable genres in Jordan are Hip Hop; which was popularized through DJ Shadia (Shadia Bseiso) through her regional radio show "The 5th Element" which was the only show in the Middle East to broadcast in three different countries every week (Jordan, Lebanon and Syria) from 2005 to 2008. DJ Shadia had previously opened for global stars such as Akon
Akon
Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
, 50 Cent
50 Cent
Curtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
, Sean Paul
Sean Paul
Sean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques , who performs under stage name Sean Paul, is a Jamaican pop rap and reggae singer.-1973–1996: Early life:...
and Massari
Massari
Sari Abboud better known by his stage name Massari is a Lebanese Canadian R&B, pop, and hip hop singer who grew up in Canada. Massari means "money" in Arabic....
. Other popular Hip Hop artists include Last Standing Poet and MC Niz-r
Niz-r
NiZ-R is a half-Iraqi, half-Palestinian rapper living in Jordan.- Biography :NiZ-R was raised in a family that was always attached to politics, with different political points of view, so he developed his own personal political point of view at a really small age.He was really influenced by his...
.
As of recent times, Jordan's Trance
Trance music
Trance is a genre of electronic dance music that developed in the 1990s.:251 It is generally characterized by a tempo of between 125 and 150 bpm,:252 repeating melodic synthesizer phrases, and a musical form that builds up and breaks down throughout a track...
and electronic music scenes are rising rapidly within Jordanian youth, and techno and house have become staples in the musical tastes in Jordan. This was helped by the rapid rise of talented DJs such as Bee Bee and DJ Flava, as well as heavy airplay of trance songs on Jordanian radio channels. Many raves and underground techno gatherings occur, and electronic music is currently reaching number one status of music genre in Jordan; such a status was reached due to DJs playing continuously throughout Amman's many nightspots, a few notable DJs were Dj Moee, Ali Saadi, Zafer Saadi, DJ Exoda, and Shadia Bseiso,who has DJ'd all around Jordan and the Middle East.
External links
- Sakher Hattar's Music From Jordan Playlist on Youtube
- BBC Radio 3 Audio (60 minutes): The Bedouin. Accessed November 25, 2010.
- BBC Radio 3 Audio (60 minutes): Amman: Ilham Al madfai, Toni Qattan and Shou Al Ayam. Accessed November 25, 2010.
- BBC Radio 3 Audio (60 minutes): Jordan - Amman: Ilham Al Madfai. Accessed November 25, 2010.
- Jordanian songs
- JadaL band