WESTERN saxophone and electric guitar met traditional sea-song and ballads in a colourful blend of the old and the new, as part of a show that presented the best of Bahraini music.
The stunning, all-star performance, titled ‘Jazz Muharraqi’, took the audience on an 11-part musical journey to answer the question: What if jazz was played traditionally in Muharraq?
It was led by saxophonist Abdulla Hajji and Rouh Collective, accompanied by heritage bands Dar Al Budaiya Al Janubiyya and Almeerath band.
The show, held at the Cultural Hall in Manama, featured an impressive line-up of talented local musicians and singers: Hind Dito, Ahmed “AQ” Al Qasim, Alaa Ghawas, Mohamed Rashid and conductor Zeyad Zaiman.
Mr Haji told the GDN that it all started with a single track, but grew into a full-fledged attempt to “create a Bahraini jazz sound” and “blending traditional grooves with modern sounds”.
“I’m trying to advocate for our identity, and to justly present us as Bahrainis – showing the world the modern version of Bahraini youth artists,” said the classically trained musician.
His debut album, ‘Moraba’at’, was brought to life by the same artists who contributed vocals, beats and instrumentals to the record.
The concert began with a slow sax melody, transitioning into breath-taking vocal, heart-rending ‘nahham’ or ‘fjiri’ ballads, an upbeat interlude, and ended on a high note with an electrifying saxophone-blues duet between Mr Haji and guitarist Mr Rashid.
The explosion of melodies held the audience’s attention for the entire 70 minutes, concluding with a standing ovation and uproarious applause.
Jazz Muharraqi
“I’ve been experimenting with my band, creating different compositions over the Bahraini rhythms and grooves of fjiri, khammari and sout, plus writing songs in Arabic,” said Mr Haji.
“Jazz Muharraqi is an auditory interpretation to a rhetorical question: What if jazz was played traditionally in Muharraq?”
Routh Collective is made up of synth player Hamad “7MND” Ebrahim, guitarists Abdulrahman “Musicara” Rashed and Mohamed Almaroon, drummer Ahmed Alhabshi and Indian pianist Joel Paul.
“We’re a group of guys who want to do something fresh and cool that still represents Bahrain’s essence and showcases our roots,” Mr Hamad, or Hamandi, told the GDN.
“I was blown away by the audience’s reaction: it was really nice to see so many people gathered for something like this.”
Traditional band
Meanwhile, a seven-man traditional troupe – a blend between two musical ‘houses’ – brought their rich percussion instruments made from animal hides and clay pottery.
Coming from a line of pearl ballad singers, Ahmed Abdulla and Yousif Adam, who lead Dar Al Budaiya Al Janubiyya and Almeerath band respectively, told the GDN that the ‘nahham’ was alive and well.
“We are proud to see art that presents Bahrain’s identity with such faithfulness and love,” said Mr Abdulla, who has just returned from Japan after playing music at Bahrain’s pavilion at the Osaka Expo 2025.
“Abdulla Haji’s style is different from traditional music, but he reached out to us and asked to incorporate our tunes with his, and we exchanged artistry and knowledge.
“We determined which tempo and beat was the most suitable, and then we created a medley.”
Both concerts were part of the 34th Bahrain International Music Festival, which continues until October 16 across Bahrain’s renowned cultural landmarks, including the Bahrain National Theatre, the Cultural Hall, and the houses of traditional music in Muharraq and Riffa.
The final performance was an original piece by guitarist and composer Mohamed Rashid, titled “Rasty Blues” which he combined with Mr Haji’s saxophone.
The music PhD student and Brothers Band member said that he modified his electric guitar, to accommodate Arabic or Eastern maqams (melodic modes).
“Eastern-sounding guitar is new to the audience’s ears, specially electric sout-blues,” Mr Rashid, who plays for the Bahrain Police Band, said.
“I utilised maqam rast, with a Khaleeji beat. It made me happy to see the audience accept this new colour of music.”
zainab@gdnmedia.bh
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