Kenan Adnawi is a Syrian oud virtuoso, composer, and improviser, renowned for fusing traditional Middle Eastern music with classical, jazz, and contemporary styles. Adnawi’s performance is a mesmerizing journey through Arabic maqamat, unfolding from introspective modal improvisation to vibrant, experimental rhythms. Adnawi began playing the oud at the age of seven in Lattakia, Syria. He later graduated from the Higher Institute of Music in Damascus in 2008, where he studied under Azerbaijani specialist Askar Ali Akbar. His career includes performances with prestigious ensembles and orchestras in some of the world’s greatest venues, including La Scala and the Bolshoi Theatre. Adnawi has toured extensively with the renowned Lebanese musician and composer Marcel Khalife. He released his debut album, Aura, in 2014, followed by Watar in 2023.
