Folk Bands and Artists
NAFAS
London
The trio of musicians that make up the recently-formed NAFAS, led by Tunisian Mohamed Ghrab, were all born and raised on the banks of the Mediterranean Sea. Their passion to revive traditional, classical and folk songs from all around the region has them gliding across borders and exploring the different cultures therein, be it Jewish, Arabic, Christian or Berber. NAFAS, ‘Breath’ in Arabic, features a fascinating blend of rhythmic musical styles reflecting the extensive diversity. They are Mohamed on oud and accordion, and Turks Ozgur Saygili on saz and guitar and Yalcin Ozdemir on percussion.
Mohamed Ghrab, from Sfax, Tunisia has a degree in music and musicology and a Master in ethnomusicology, specialising in accordion and Tunisian Jewish Music (Higher Institute of Music, Sousse). His Master´s thesis is on the Jewish Passover in Tunis, the capital. He teaches Oud and Accordion, focusing on Arabic music, and has taught at private institutes in Sfax and at the Jewish School in Djerba, Tunisia.
