The Tunisian oud master Dhafer Youssef arrives at the LAC with an ensemble of six musicians, in a concert that blends Arab tradition, jazz and electronic music. One of the most original voices on the contemporary scene, he has redefined the role of his ancient instrument.

With his unmistakable musical language, Dhafer Youssef brings to the LAC a project that unites tradition and sonic exploration. Born in Tunisia and trained across Europe and the Middle East, Youssef has his roots in Sufi culture and the vocal practices associated with liturgical chant, whilst simultaneously maintaining a constant openness towards jazz and the music of other cultures.
At the heart of his work lies the oud, a traditional Arabic stringed instrument considered the ancestor of the European lute, which Youssef has helped to take beyond its historical boundaries. Alongside the instrumental dimension, his voice – expansive and highly expressive – becomes an integral part of the soundscape, broadening its timbral and narrative possibilities.
In dialogue with the group’s musicians, the composition opens up to hybrid and constantly evolving forms, in which acoustic and electronic elements coexist in balance. The result is music that defies rigid definitions and builds a bridge between East and West, giving rise to a personal and distinctive language.