Bassam Saba, a renowned Lebanese ud and ney player, and composer of Arabic music, died in Beirut on December 4, 2020 of COVID-19 complications.
Bassam Saba was a former member of Yo Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble and directed the New York Arabic Orchestra. Although he lived in the United States for 30 years, Bassam returned to Lebanon in 2018 as president of the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music.
His former colleagues at the Silk Road Project released a statement: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of a great Arabic musician and longtime Global Musician Workshop faculty member Bassam Saba. His kindness, compassion, and artistry will not soon be forgotten by our global music community. Our condolences to his family and students.”
Read more about Bassam Saba.
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central