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Fahim Dandan. Photo: courtesy of artistFahim Dandan
Fahim Dandan. Photo: courtesy of artist
Brooklyn-based Palestinian vocalist Fahim Dandan grew up with exposure to the folk music traditions of Haifa and nearby villages. Dandan’s mother was respected for her musical ability and noted for her participation at village weddings. At 16 Dandan began his formal classical music training at the Rubin Music Conservatoire and studied oud for 3 years with Sudki Choukry. He then joined his brother’s band singing standards from Egyptian classical superstars such as Abdel Halim Hafez and Oum Koulthoum. In 1989, Dandan immigrated to the U.S. and studied Western music theory at Ohio State University before his travels brought him to Brooklyn, where he began singing at parties hosted by Syrian Jewish and Levantine Arab. Dandan has become a highly sought-after vocalist for Arab weddings and social events throughout the U.S. He draws from a repertoire of ceremonial material including henna songs sung at the bride’s henna ceremony, wedding processionals (zeffat), and popular debkah and dance songs from the Levant and Egypt. At Brooklyn wedding parties, Dandan has helped popularize a Palestinian tradition, known in English as the “candle dance,” during which the bride and groom dance to an Egyptian style zeffa rhythm while holding candles. In 2003, Dandan recorded a CD of original compositions in Cairo, Egypt. He is looking forward to producing and releasing a second album in the near future.
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Folk / Traditional Arts, Music, Traditional / Culturally Specific, VocalistSee Also...
