Music of Jordan
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The music of Jordan can be distinguished from that of its neighboring countries like Syria and Saudi Arabia by its strong Bedouin influence [1]. Rural zajal songs, with improvised poetry played with a rabab and reed pipe ensemble accompanying is popular [2].
[edit] Popular music
The Bedouin singer Omar Al-Abdillat and Diana Karzon, winner of the Arab version of Pop Idol, are perhaps Jordan's biggest stars, known for his patriotic song "Hashemi, Hashemi" [3]. Other well-known Jordanian musicians are Qamar Badwan, who won the golden prize in the 2000 Cairo Song Festival, percussionist Hani Naser, the pianist, and composer Khalid Asad. A new age group called Rum, lead by Tareq Al Nasser has been gaining regional and international popularity.
In Amman, the capital of Jordan, there has been a movement of alternative music in the last two decades. Rock bands that mix western and eastern influences are continuously becoming more popular, examples of which are Ethereal, which was famous early this decade, Signs of Thyme among many others, and Illusions who are famous for their pure classic rock style. Jordan is also known to have quite a big underground heavy metal scene, with many bands reaching international audiences such as Darkcide, Augury, and others.
[edit] References
- Badley, Bill and Zein al Jundi. "Europe Meets Asia". 2000. In Broughton, Simon and Ellingham, Mark with McConnachie, James and Duane, Orla (Ed.), World Music, Vol. 1: Africa, Europe and the Middle East, pp 391-395. Rough Guides Ltd, Penguin Books. ISBN 1-85828-636-0
- Jordan: Arts and Literature. Cultural Profiles Project. Retrieved on September 9, 2005.
- Tuning in. Al-Ahram Weekly. Retrieved on September 9, 2005.
