Palestinian-American violinist, composer, and producer Akram Abdulfattah (b. 1990) has earned international recognition for his genre-defying music and commitment to cultural dialogue. A Galilee native, he first rose to prominence as the founder of the youngest Palestinian musical quartet. His early accolades include First Prize at the Palestinian National Music Competition for Ensembles (2012) and multiple honors at the prestigious Marcel Khalife Competition in Jerusalem.
Abdulfattah’s musical philosophy is rooted in instrumental storytelling. Drawing inspiration from Arabic classical music masters, he refined his craft through studies with leading Arab and international musicians. Over time, he has developed a distinctive fusion style shaped by Indian, Turkish, and Persian influences, as well as Western genres such as jazz, rock, and funk.
Since 2014, he has independently released four albums: Qarar (with Awan Quartet, 2014), Jawa (2016), Monologue (2021), and the EP From Here (2022). His music, both meditative and expressive, is characterized by a deep sense of spirituality and an intent to connect listeners to themes of peace, resilience, and identity.
In 2023, Abdulfattah made his UK debut, culminating in a 2024 album recorded live at the Cambridge Folk Festival. Accompanied by a multinational ensemble, Yannis Dimitriadis (piano/keyboards), Jack Wilson (saxophones), Mirko Scarcia (electric bass), and Per Anders Skytt (drums), he performed selections from From Here and Monologue, along with previews from his forthcoming album Abu Kenda.
Released in 2024, Abu Kenda (“Kenda’s Father”) marked a turning point in Abdulfattah’s career. The album reflects themes of birth, both literal and metaphorical, juxtaposing hope and sorrow amid the backdrop of war. Musically, it combines traditional Palestinian and Arab classical sounds with contemporary styles. It also pays tribute to influential composers such as Mohammed Abdel Wahab while embracing modern instrumental production.
The lineup on Abu Kenda included Abul-Ila Mohammad on vocals; Usama Abu Ali on yarghoul & ney; Kayed Silway on darbuka; Gunnar Backman on guitar and live loops; Kenda Abdulfattah on vocals; Kadialy Kuyoti on kora; Erdal Eris on electric bass; Cahit Kutrafali on electric bass; Tamer Omari on electric bass; and Per Anders Skytt on drums.
Despite limited resources available to Palestinian artists, Abdulfattah continues to produce and distribute his music independently. He released Live in London (2025), recorded during a sold-out appearance at Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho. This performance marked his return to the stage after a year-long hiatus due to the war, highlighting both his personal resilience and the unifying power of music. The live album features Elliot Galvin (keyboards), Riley Stone-Lonergan (saxophones), Mirko Scarcia (bass), and Per Anders Skytt (drums), with Abdulfattah performing both signature pieces and live renditions from Abu Kenda.
Awards and Honors
- Second Prize, Marcel Khalife Competition, Jerusalem (2006)
- First Prize, Marcel Khalife Competition, Jerusalem (2008)
- First Prize, Palestinian National Competition, Jerusalem (2012)
- First Prize, Palestinian National Music Competition for Ensembles, Ramallah (2012)
- First Prize, Palestinian “On Stage” Competition for Ensembles, Ramallah (2012)
Discography:
Qarar, with the Awan Quartet (2014)
Jawa (2016)
Monologue (2021)
From Here, EP (2022)
Abu Kenda (2024)
Live at Cambridge Folk Festival (2024)
Live in London (2025)
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.