About Ramzi and Dal’Ouna Ensemble
Dal’Ouna Ensemble is named after a festive Palestinian music genre. Through its music, the ensemble expresses the hopes of a people who love to laugh and sing and who seek peace and freedom. The ensemble’s repertoire extends from Egypt to Andalusia, passing through various regions and traditions of the Middle East, and adding medieval and jazz accents to a musical confluence of East and West. On their musical journey, Ramzi Aburedwan and Dal’Ouna bring us into their world, their music, their poetry and traditions. They combine traditional Arab instruments including the bouzuk, the oud, and oriental percussion with viola and accordion. The repertoire ranges from instrumental to traditional poetic genres that focus on love, freedom, and nature. Dal’Ouna is a story of shared experiences, a refuge where borders don’t apply, and a message of hope for its members and audiences.
Ramzi Aburedwan grew up in the Al Amari refugee camp in Ramallah, where his family took refuge after being driven out of their home in Palestine in 1948. The violence of the first Palestinian intifada (1987-1993) marked Ramzi’s childhood and adolescence. At age 16, Ramzi participated in a musical workshop, which proved to be a life-changing experience. From 1996 to 1998 he studied at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music in Ramallah. In 1998-2005, Ramzi received a scholarship to study viola at the National Regional Conservatory of Angers (France). Ramzi graduated with a DEM in viola, and chamber music. At the French conservatory, Ramzi met up with other students with whom he created the Dal’Ouna Ensemble in 2000. Today, Ramzi splits his career amongst many projects. He has worked as a concert performer, bandleader of Dal’Ouna, musical director, composer and arranger for the Palestine National Arabic Music Ensemble, and viola soloist performing Western classical music with chamber music ensembles and orchestras throughout the Middle East and Europe. Ramzi’s deep engagement with Palestinian youth led him to realize a lifelong dream in 2005: the creation of the Al Kamandjati Association. Al Kamandjati’s mission is to bring musical education to Palestinian children and, in particular, to those who are most vulnerable – the children of the refugee camps. Al Kamandjati has provided music education to children living in refugee camps of Al Amari, Jalazon, Tulkarm and Qalandia, in the village of Deir Ghassana, and the cities of Ramallah, Jenin, Gaza City and Hebron in Palestine as well as in Lebanon, in the refugee camps of Bourj el Barajneh and Shatila.
Moneim Adwan, born in Gaza in 1970, is a Palestinian composer, oud player, singer, and musicologist. He trained in classical Arabic music and musicology in Libya, blending traditional forms with contemporary and intercultural expression. Since moving to France in 2000, Adwan has composed extensively for opera, theater, and film, often drawing inspiration from the poetry of Mahmoud Darwish, Rumi, and Ibn Arabi. He has collaborated with notable artists like Peter Sellars, Françoise Atlan, and Bernard Foccroulle, performing at festivals such as Aix-en-Provence and La Monnaie. Adwan’s work consistently explores themes of exile, identity, and dialogue through the rich lens of Palestinian musical heritage.
Ziad Ben Youssef’s passion for the oud began in his native Tunisia, encouraged by some local masters who introduced him to the world of ”Eastern Maqam”, the main foundation of oriental music with roots in Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Armenian traditions. His musical path was forged with the Bashir brothers, Ali Sriti, Farid Ghosn, Anouar Brahem, Saliha, Manolo Sanlucar, Sabicas and many others. Ziad continues to pursue his goal of expanding the boundaries of this instrument vis à vis improvisation and exploration of diverse musical traditions, including Flamenco, Eastern European, jazz and other contemporary music. Ziad has ventured into the world of theater and has participated in numerous projects such as “The Thousand and One Nights “with English director Tim Supple, poetry performances, and film soundtracks: “Happiness” (Alexander Medvidkine), “Kedaba” (ElHachmia Didi Alaoui), “ADN, Ame de la terre” (Thierry Obadia), and “Tomb of the Lovers,” performed live at the Louvre Auditorium.
Alber Baseel is a Palestinian multi-percussionist and drummer from Bethlehem, known for his versatility and virtuosity on instruments such as the darbuka and riq. He began his musical journey at age 12 with the Terra Sancta Scout Band and later studied Classical Arabic music at the Edward Said Conservatory. In 2021, he earned his Bachelor’s degree from Berklee College of Music, where he collaborated with musicians from around the world and expanded his musical range. He has worked with artists including Simon Shaheen, the National Arab Orchestra, Residente, and Abeer Nehme. Alber also studied Afro-Cuban percussion during an immersive residency in Havana, Cuba. His style blends traditional Arabic rhythms with jazz, Latin, and world music influences. He has performed across Europe, North Africa, the U.S., and South America. Now based in Brooklyn, NY, Alber is a full-time professional musician, performing, teaching, and recording in a variety of international projects.
