Saied Silbak — Oud for Palestine (self-released, 2025)
Saied Silbak has emerged as a prominent London-based oud player and composer whose music is deeply influenced by Arabic, Turkish, Indian, jazz, and western classical traditions. On Oud for Palestine, he presents joyful Palestinian folk songs, elegantly crafted with a superb trio format that includes Nina Harries on double bass and Haneen Kiwan in Arabic percussion. The album balances Silbak’s technical brilliance with expressive, enthralling melodies, immersive arrangements, and thrilling percussion.
In addition to six reimagined traditional classics stripped of vocals, the album also includes the emotive “Voices from Gaza,” an original composition that reflects his solidarity with the people of Gaza.
The cover of Oud for Palestine, designed by Silbak, is an original Tatreez-inspired artwork featuring an oud encasing an olive tree. It symbolizes Palestinian memory, resistance, and connection to the land.
Saied Silbak is a Palestinian composer and oud player. He was born in Shafaa`mr, a city in the lower Galilee of occupied Palestine. His career began with classical piano at the age of four. Later, he learned how to play oud in his early teens, driven by a desire to explore the depth and nuance of Arabic music. He trained at the Beit Almusica Conservatory, where he later taught. After that, he studied Music and Psychology at the University of Haifa, and went on to complete his Masters at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, where he is currently based.
Silbak’s musical training spans Arabic, Turkish, Indian, jazz and Western classical traditions. As a consequence, his style is deeply grounded in tradition yet open to global influence. He has performed in Palestine, the UK, Belgium, France, Morocco, Argentina, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Sweden. Furthermore, Silbak appeared in the 2023 Ken Loach film The Old Oak, composing music and working alongside celebrated composer George Fenton.
In the area of musical collaborations, Silbak has worked with leading British and international artists including Vieux Farka Touré, Alice Zawadzki, Fred Thomas, Ana Silvera, Bernhard Schimpelsberger, Jasper Høiby and Tom Mason.
Beyond his performance career, Silbak has delivered workshops at Blackpool Music Services, Warrington Music Services, Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, the Global Music Academy in London and more.
Buy the digital version of Oud for Palestine or the CD from Bandcamp.
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.