Khyam Allami

Khyam Allami

Khyam Allami is an oud player and composer born in Damascus in 1981 and raised in London from the age of nine. Born to Iraqi parents, he begins learning violin in Damascus before later playing rock drums in London. He studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, where he takes two music degrees.

Career

Allami takes up the oud in 2004. In 2010 he becomes the first recipient of the BBC Radio 3 World Routes Academy mentorship programme, which leads to performances at WOMAD and the BBC Proms. His work then attracts wider attention through concerts and collaborations with a range of artists, including the Seattle-based Master Musicians of Bukkake and Iraqi pop singer Ilham al-Madfa'i.

Recordings and style

His debut solo oud album, Resonance/Dissonance, is released on his own label, Nawa Recordings. It is a double-disc set, with a solo studio recording on the CD and a live performance of the full album on DVD, accompanied by percussionist Vasilis Sarikis. The album is based on maqams, the modal system of Middle Eastern music, and combines unusual approaches to that system with structured composed improvisations.

Other work

Allami also plays drums in Knifeworld, led by Kavus Torabi. He is associated with Joujma and Nawa Recordings.