" Watar - The Musicians"

 

Moreb Mahran - Qanoun ( zither )

Born in Rama Village-Galilee, a talented Qanoun player. As a child he studied Eastern Music and Qanoun under the instruction of Mr. Elias Joubran. Mahran got his Qanoun specialization B.Mus degree from the Academy of Music and Dance at the Hebrew University- Jerusalem , now he is completing his graduate degree under the surveillance of Prof. Taiseer Elias.

Mahran performed in many important festivals, including the "Oud Festival- Jerusalem", "Yabous Festival" of Eastern - Jerusalem , "Les Voix des Pays"- France .

As Qanoun, Bozok, Saz player Mahran preformed, recorded and featured as a guest artist with top international and national musicians, including Moneim Adwan - France, Haytham Safia - Holland and Taiseer Elias-Israel.

Currently teaches Qanoun and is an assistant tutor in the Academy of Music and Dance at the Hebrew University-Jerusalem.

Wasim Odeh - Oud (lute)

Born in Nazareth , a talent in Oud playing who is now creating his own way in dealing with this unique instrument through distinctive techniques and promising performances. Wasim started learning Oud since he was 13 years old, and completed his graduate degree in Jerusalem at the Academy for Dance and Music; He finished Musicology at the Hebrew University-Jerusalem.

Wasim is currently teaching Oud at the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music. His performances include amalgamation of oriental and Arabic melodies,

folkloric tunes, works of the great Arab and oriental musicians in addition to his own compositions.

Odeh participated in many local and international musical performances .

Srour Saliba – Violin

Born in Shefa-Amr; he got his first classical music education as a Violinist in his childhood. Later on he graduated with B.Mus degree from the Music Academy of the Hebrew University-Jerusalem, as an eastern-violin specialist, Srur continues his graduate degree guided by Prof. Taieser Elias in addition he continues to study playing western violin instructed by Prof. Matfy Liberman.

Srour performs along with a lot of local ensembles; he participated in a various local and foreign musical performances all over the world .

Hagai Bilitzky – Contrabass

Born in Jerusalem , is a profound, classically trained bass player. Hagai studied at the classical department-Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem ; today he is studying at the eastern department. Hagai is a teaching assistant at the Composition and Conduction Department. Was a regular member of the great Arnie Lawrences jazz quintet for 4 years. Lived in N.Y. for 3 years and played with Barry Harris, Victor Jones and many other great jazz players. Today, back in Jerusalem , Hagai leads his own quintet and cooperates with many jazz and world music projects -Maurice el Medioni, Bilal Orshad, Mediterranean Klezmer Band, contemporary Arabic ensemble "Watar", BTA, and the Magreb Orchestra.

Lev Elman – percussion

Born, in Moscow , 1978, and at the age of nine, he started drumming on every possible surface in house. When he was 14 he was given a drums set and started learning how to play. He was mainly focused on jazz. He studied with Jerry Garval for many years. At 18, he switched over to percussion, and gradually worked out my own style of playing on djembe and other percussion instruments. He is playing with Joseph & One, but also various other bands.

Fadi Hanna - Bozok and percussion

Born in Rama Village- Galilee; Fadi grow up amongst a family of musicians, he learned playing the Bozok along with few other instruments like O'ud and percussions. He finish his architecture studies and he works in this field. He participated as a percussionist in various musical performances in country and abroad along with many musical ensembles such as Khalid Jubran's Ensemble, Alber Moreb Ensemble and Siraj Choir.

Fadi Saliba & Houssam Nassrallah - Management