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Riyad El Tunsi. Photo: courtesy of artist
Riyad El Tunsi
Riyad El Tunsi. Photo: courtesy of artist
El Tunsi was born in Tunis, where he began taking music and oud lessons at age 14 at the Salah El Mahdi Musical Club. El Mahdi, a legendary Tunisian music composer, recognized El Tunsi's talent and encouraged him to pursue a musical career. El Tunsi began performing professionally in 1986 when he joined the Tawfik Lingliz Orchestra as an oudist and vocalist. After several years with the orchestra, he moved to Morocco to study sociology, history, law, and political science at the University of Oujda. El Tunsi has continued to develop his musical career since immigrating to the U.S. in the mid-90s. He plays the oud and performs many different styles of Arab music, including Tunisian, Khaleegee (Gulf), and Rai. He has performed with such notable artists as the famous Lebanese singers Melhem, Fares Karam, and Wadi Essafi, as well as the Algerian Rai artist Cheb Nasro, and the Moroccan singer Binhass. El Tunsi is relatively new to New York and we’re proud that he makes his home in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.
Artist's Myspace
Artist's Myspace
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Folk / Traditional Arts, Music, Instrumentalist, Traditional / Culturally Specific, VocalistSee Also...
