Yair Dalal (born 1955) is a composer, violinist and oud player and is probably the most prolific Israeli ethnic musician today, with global recognition (WOMAD appearances from Seattle to Sydney).

Over the last decade he has put nine albums, covering wide and varied cultural territory. Much of Dalal's output reflects the strong affinity he has for the desert and its habitants. Dalal's family came to Israel from Baghdad and he has included much Iraqi material in his work to date.

Whether working on his own, or with his Alol ensemble, Dalal creates new Middle Eastern music by interweaving the traditions of Iraqi and Jewish Arabic music with a range of influences originating from such diverse cultural milieus as the Balkans to India. The evocative compositions comprise a unique and colorful sound. Dalal's musicianship is truly independent of time or trends.

His work is enhanced by the polished skills of his colleagues in the Alol ensemble who imbue the music with different ethnic backgrounds, playing instruments from the Middle East and Asia - including numerous Arabic percussion instruments, tabla, sitar, flute, clarinet, lyre and saz - and invoking Iraqi, Moroccan, Persian and even Bedouin singing styles.

Yair Dalal performs different repertoires, including classical Jewish Arabic music and material that draws on Babylonian traditions. He is one of a handful of artists who preserve and sustain the Babylonian musical heritage.

The wonderful Jewish Iraqi musicians who emigrated from Iraq to Israel in the 1950s, from whom Dalal learned much of his craft, have either passed away or are very old.

Dalal also uses his extensive array of skills to span musical genres in performing his own compositions rooted in this musical tradition and inspired by the desert. Living in such a rich multicultural society, such as Israel, has imbued his art with the musical treasures of numerous cultural heritages.

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