Jawad El Hachem was born in 1983, and unlike most of his heroes, is still very much alive and kicking until this very day. Born in Beirut and from Lebanese blood, he possessed the ability to teach himself at will. And so, thirteen years later, he had taught himself how to play a mean guitar and played it pretty hard.With his head in the clouds and his hands on that guitar, sixteen-year-young J’ assembled his first band. He rocked on through the year with much of his energy channeled on the music. And that same year, his original sound scored first prize at a nation-wide competition held in Beirut.Time shapes any rock. And J’ spent much of his time at the hands of his good friend and mentor Alain Ajouri. The two would time-lapse in dim light, with loud sound and serious sessions of intense music. And slowly but surely, J’s raw and vigorous sound began to take its true shape.Along the way to here and now, J’ collaborated with many talented musicians: Emile Boustany, Aboud Al Saadi, Alain Ajouri, Julio Eid, Mazen Siblini, David Elias, Pascal Elias, Paulakiki, Elie Afif, Rony Afif, Riad Hajjar, Ramy Tiby, Lara Matar, Raja Nawfal, to name a little more than a few.J’ then went on to form his trio ‘The Lo Budget Orkestra’ with Julio Eid on bass, Emile Boustany on drums, and himself on vocals and guitars. The trio had gigs lined up all across the Beirut nightscape, and managed to strike a chord with a highly demanding crowd. In a little less than a year, the sound of screaming fans proved that there was nothing low budget about the sound of this trio.J’ cast his guitar shadow in the spotlight with different bands and on different stages. His sound was heard all over Nova, Hard Rock Café, Purple Haze, Circus, bo18, Fly, Element, Bar Louie, Blue Note, Basement, and Snatch. And his sound was as diverse as the places he played in, and ranged from rock to pop, funk and blues, and even neo classical rock and progressive.His active music career and constant high exposure on the local scene made J’ one of the most sought after musicians for private gigs, studio recordings, and live concerts. He was featured on Paulakiki’s 2005 debut album 'Night Shifts' as a session guitarist, and delivered a truly eclectic live performance in concert at bo18 in Beirut. J’ was then and again called upon to work with Paulakiki in the studio on a new album.In more recent news: J’ undisputedly won first prize in a guitar competition held by Virgin Megastores in Beirut in 2006. He joined the ‘The Kordz’, and had a stretch of gigs lined up and an opening concert for ‘Robert Plant’ in Tunisia. In 2007 J’ delivered a rock solid performance along side Lara Matar in her concert at the Unesco Palace in Beirut. In 2008 J' performed at the Dubai Jazz Festival with non other than Paulakiki.Armed with his guitar, his bad-boy-spirit, an open mind and a sensible pair of sneakers, J’s journey through sound has begun to unravel…
©Jimmy Francis
J's impro solo on Paulak's debut album, live at BO18, Beirut
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