Sabreen Band

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Sabreen is a Palestinian music group formed in 1980 with a vision to develop the Palestinian modern sound. Sabreen’s sound reflects the humanitarian and cultural reality of Palestine while highlighting the suffering endured by the people. A concealed sense of hope mixed in with their reflection of the frustrations associated with Palestine allowed Sabreen to embody a spirit of creativity within a fractured community. With the production of five albums, Sabreen has evolved its sound to mix soulful lyrics with a fusion of musical influences, such as oriental Arabic, while mixing musical traditions from the East to the West. Sabreen’s music is a language of its own and is derived from local sound, such as folklore and traditional oriental music, with a mix of international sound, such as jazz, rock, and so on. This unique blend of music and cultures continues to distinguish Sabreen's music, presenting it as a recognized Palestinian and International voice.

Sabreen’s recordings coincided with different episodes of Palestinian history and have reflected the larger political, social, and historical realities of their day. As a group of young people in their day, Sabreen felt a need to express their individuality as well as their collective generation’s view of society through music. The music of Sabreen is a reflection of the Palestinian experience.

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A’n Assoumoud (About Perseverance) was Sabreen’s first record. Released in 1982, it touched on Palestinian patriotic awareness, and the struggle for self-determination. In 1982, Sabreen produced Dukhan el Barakin (Smoke of the Volcanoes) to capture in its music the revolution, the attack on Lebanon, the withdrawal of Palestinians from Lebanon, and the occupation of Southern Lebanon. Maout el Nabi (Death of the Prophet), in 1987, was a proclamation of the role of youth, those who died for the freedom and independence of Palestine, and symbolized the revolution and victory. In 1994, and soon after the redeployment of the Palestinian Authority into several parts of Palestine, Sabreen produced Jay el Hamam (Here Come the Doves) symbolizing the hoped for coming of peace and an era of conciliation and equity. Their fourth studio album Ala Fein (Where To?) raises the question on the mind of every Palestinian about where are we going after the many ups and downs that accompanied the peace process, especially since the negotiations between the parties are at a standstill. Ala Fein is Sabreen’s most unique compilation of songs to carry messages of social change and aspirations for a better world, for freedom. Finally, with Maz’ooj (Annoyed), Sabreen worked with a number of local artists to produce a sound like no other. The lyrics are simple and express the colors, the siege, the frustration, and the desire for change.

Sabreen has combined the music of struggle with a fusion of classical oriental and contemporary western sounds and traditions in making its music applicable to and reflective of, the political and historical realities of the Palestinian people. They reflect a number of musical styles; local and international, because Sabreen does not belong to any particular music school. This unique blend of music worlds is a new, stand-alone music style. Sabreen displays the contemporary Palestinian/Arab identity, a character that incorporates many cultures and creates a contemporary and new identity. Their music is a holistic process. It is more than a way of performing and playing music. Rather, it is a way of life, a way of understanding things, a way of looking at things.

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Members

Said Murad is the founder of the group, Said is also the composer and arranger of all its music. He is the general director of Sabreen Association for Artistic Development and remains one of the prominent figures influencing music in Palestine. He plays numerous oriental instruments for Sabreen recordings and has also co-founded and trained a number of local music and folk groups. He is on the board of directors for a number of local arts, production, and education centers and was the artistic director of a number of local music festivals. Said also composes music for theater, films, documentaries, and for folk dance groups.

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Kamilya Jubran was the lead singer of Sabreen. She was the group's co-producer. She learned and trained from her father, a gifted music teacher and instrument maker. Contributing to the lead vocals to most of Sabreen’s productions, she plays Oud and Qanoon. Currently Kamilya lives in Paris pursuing her solo career.

http://www.kamilyajubran.com/

Wissam Murad first developed his voice and percussion skills at the age of five while participating in an educational music band for young people initiated by Sabreen. He went on to learn the Oud in their training center in 1990. He studied jazz piano for three years in a music academy in Jerusalem and he has performed solo in international music festivals and has contributed to recorded film scores, in addition to leading music training workshops with local youngsters.

Issam Murad is Sabreen's sound engineer and he oversees all recording, mixing, and other sound work in the studio. He joined Sabreen first as a percussionist, but soon became its' sound technician and since 1990, he has recorded all of Sabreen's releases at the group's studio in Jerusalem. He received a diploma in Sound Engineering at Tel Aviv Sound Engineering School and is one of the few, if not the only, Palestinians in the region to hold a degree in the field.