The New York Arabic Orchestra

The New York Arabic Orchestra is the most prestigious Arabic symphony in America. Since its inception in 2007, the Orchestra has enjoyed sold-out concerts and acclaim nationwide. The orchestra features the work of some of the greatest composers, including Mohamed Abdel Wahab, Farid El-Atrache, The Rahbani Brothers and Marcel Khalife, and songs of Fairouz sung by Lebanese vocalist Leila Chahine. The orchestra consists of professional musicians from all over the tri-state area, plus several musicians who travel from California, Texas and Michigan just to be a part of the renowned ensemble. The members, of various cultural backgrounds, classically and privately trained, come together for one common reason: their love of Arabic music, and the desire to learn and perform at the highest level next to that found in the Arab World.

The orchestra’s reputation can be attributed to none other than its director, Bassam Saba, world-renowned conductor, teacher and performer of Arabic music, and most sought-after instructor in the nation. Saba brings to the ensemble his very own compositions, deeply rooted in the traditions of Classical Arabic and Lebanese Folk, uniquely infused with elements born of his western classical education, world-travel and childhood experiences in Lebanon. Saba’s music, intensely original and surprising at every turn, breathes excitement, emotion and intrigue into every listener, fast recognizing Saba as one of the best contemporary Arabic composers.

About the Director

Bassam Saba is a world-renowned virtuoso of Arabic music as performer, teacher and conductor. Saba is considered one of the best Arabic nay players in the world, his innovation and presence unprecedented. Saba has been featured on the nay in ways that pioneer the instrument, performing Concerto written for nay, and performing as a soloist in prestigious Philharmonics worldwide. Saba is also master multi-instrumentalist of the oud (Mideast lute), buzuq (Arabic buzuki), saz (Turkish buzuki) and violin. In addition, Saba, classically trained in western flute, is one of the few known flutists to play microtonal scales.

Saba studied nay, oud and violin at the Lebanon National Conservatory. At the age of 17, he moved to Paris where he received his BA in Western Classical music and Flute Performance at the Conservatoire Municipal des Gobelins. In 1985, Saba received an MA in Western Flute Performance and Music Education at the prestigious Gnessin Musical Pedagogical Institute of Moscow. He later returned to Beirut where he began to tour extensively with Fairouz, Marcel Khalife and Ziad Rahbani.

Saba moved to New York in 1991. Since then, he has been a featured soloist with Yo-Yo Ma, and has worked with Simon Shaheen, Marcel Khalife, Wadia El-Safi, Paul Simon, Alicia Keys, Sting, Santana, and jazz musicians like Herbie Hancock, Sonny Fortune and Quincy Jones. Saba currently performs his compositions with his own group, directs the New York Arabic Orchestra, and performs with Simon Shaheen's Al-Qantara and Near Eastern Music Ensemble; Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble; and Christian Jarvi's Absolute Ensemble, premiering a pioneering concerto for nay composed for him by Daniel Schnyder. As a soloist, Saba has performed with the Hannover, Detroit and Oakland Symphonic Orchestras. He has toured throughout the Middle East, Europe, North America, South America, Australia, Africa and Japan.

Saba is New York's primary teacher and conductor of Arabic music, and is one of the most sought-after teachers in the U.S. He has held numerous Arabic music workshops and lectures all over the U.S. and around the world, and has conducted numerous orchestras and ensembles at educational institutions such as Harvard University and Simon Shaheen’s Arabic Music Retreat, the most prestigious camp for Arabic music in North America, attracting participants from all over the world. Saba also led orchestras for Kazim Al-Saher and Sarah Brightman, and served as director of the Beirut Symphonic Band. Saba continues to offer private lessons for nay, oud, and Arabic violin in New York.

“In 2007 he was recognized by the National Arab American Museum as one of the 10 most outstanding artists of the last decade to make a significant difference in bringing the beauty and rich cultural history of Middle East through music to American Audiences.”