The language of harmony

Wadih El Safi and Jose Fernandez are a reminder that music is universal

Songs dedicated to the Palestinian children and revolving around the Palestine struggle will form part of the repertoire of legendary Lebanese singer Wadih El Safi and Spanish flamenco musician, Jose Fernandez, at their first joint concerts today (in Abu Dhabi) and tomorrow (Dubai).

At a press conference held at the Beach Rotana Hotel, Abu Dhabi, yesterday, Wadih El Safi admitted that he will sing songs dedicated to Palestinian children and the Palestinian cause at his concerts. "I'm supportive of any nation which suffers,'' he asserted.

However, his support for countries with problems such as Lebanon and Palestine are not new. He said patriotic numbers have been his forte for years.

Other numbers at the concert will include rearrangements of classical songs with an uptempo gypsy style and remixes of popular Arabic songs.

Part of the proceeds from the concerts - to be held along with Oriental Roots Orchestra at the Abu Dhabi Marina Yacht Club and Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa - will be donated to Palestinians, he said.

The pony-tailed Fernandez expressed support for the Palestinians on humanitarian grounds. "My principle is not to interfere in politics. But I look at the Palestine issue from a humanitarian angle.

I will sing for the people of that country and not for their leaders,'' Fernandez said. He hoped the issue would be resolved soon.

Coming to music, the 78-year-old Wadih El Safi spoke about his ongoing collaboration with the flamboyant Fernandez. A partnership which led to the album Casino du Lebanon.

Safi, who affectionately referred to the 23-year-old Fernandez as his grandson, said, "I heard his voice and I wanted to sing with him and get him to sing my songs. He may be singing an Arabic translation but he still manages to grasp and retain the Arabic tune.'' Despite the age difference and language barrier, there's harmony in the music, he said.

According to Safi, it took time for people to accept and appreciate this music concept in Lebanon, but today they are liked by all generations. The two first came together in August 1999, when they performed with other Lebanese and Spanish musicians at the Byblos Mediterranean festival in Lebanon.

They immediately struck a rapport, but the person responsible for bringing them together was producer Michel Elefteriades, who wanted them to record a CD fusing Arabic and flamenco music.

Fernandez responded to Safi's compliments in kind. He said, "When I work with him I understand the richness of Arabic music.'' Having listened to his music for a long time, he had always yearned to meet and play with him.

In fact, Fernandez's father had given him Wadih El Safi's CD and urged him to play just with him.

Fernandez said, "My father listened to Arabic singers but for me Wadih's voice stood out. It was so flamenco, so gypsy. I feel the flamenco in Wadih's songs. To sing with him is like singing back home with my brothers,'' he added.

According to Fernandez, the fact that flamenco's origins stem from Arabic music helped him connect easily with Safi and make music with him. Safi is now working on a video on religion and as a support to suffering nations, he added.

Born in 1921 in a little Lebanese village, Wadih El Safi grew up listening to the traditional Arabic folklore music of the villagers. In 1938, he moved to Beirut to pursue formal vocal studies at the Lebanon National Conservatory of Music.

The same year his career took off when he won the first place at a competition sponsored by the Lebanese Broadcasting network. He went on to compose and perform music, which were distinctly based on his folklore roots and incorporated new urban sounds. He was thus responsible for urbanising Lebanese folk music and came to be called "The pure voice of Lebanon".

Wadih El Safi has penned and composed over 3,000 songs and performed in the U.S., Australia, Europe and the Middle East.

Jose Fernandez, known as the "Mozart of flamenco'' was born in a typical Andalousian gypsy family and inherited his musical temperament from his grandfather, a well-known flamenco singer and poet.

At the age of four he is said to have wandered around in gypsy ceremonies as a drummer. His forte is not restricted to one instrument. He plays drums, guitar, piano, the bass and has even experimented with the Greek bouzouki, an arabic lute and an Indian flute.

A son of "world music'' - he was born in the heydays of musical fusion - Fernandez's dream is to fuse flamenco with every other music, from salsa to oriental. His heroes include Camaron de la Isla, Carlos Santana, Stevie Wonder, Oum Kulsoum and Farid El Atrache.