Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

July 10, 1929 in Toskha, Nubia, Egypt

Death

:

May 22, 2006 in Berkeley, CA

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Hamza El Din was a renowned composer and musician who was born on July 10, 1929, in the village of Toshka, located in the Nubian region of southern Egypt. He was the youngest of eight children and grew up in a family that valued music and storytelling. His father was a farmer and a musician who played the oud, a traditional Arabic stringed instrument, and his mother was a skilled singer. El Din's interest in music began at a young age, and he started playing the tar, a percussion instrument, when he was just six years old. He was also fascinated by the sounds of the river Nile, which flowed near his village, and would often spend hours listening to its rhythms and melodies. In 1955, El Din moved to Cairo to study music at the Cairo Conservatory. He was one of the first Nubians to attend the conservatory, and his unique background and musical style quickly caught the attention of his teachers and fellow students. He was particularly interested in the music of his Nubian heritage and began to incorporate traditional Nubian rhythms and melodies into his compositions. After graduating from the conservatory, El Din began performing in Cairo and quickly gained a reputation as a talented musician and composer. He was invited to perform at the Newport Folk Festival in 1964, where he introduced American audiences to the sounds of the tar and the oud, as well as the rhythms and melodies of Nubian music. El Din's music was characterized by its use of traditional Nubian rhythms and melodies, as well as his own unique style of improvisation. He was also known for his powerful voice, which he used to sing traditional Nubian songs and to tell stories about his culture and heritage. One of El Din's most famous compositions is "Escalay (The Water Wheel)," which was inspired by the sounds of the river Nile and the water wheels that were used to irrigate the fields in his village. The piece features El Din's signature use of the tar and the oud, as well as his powerful vocals. It has been covered by numerous artists and has become a classic of world music. El Din continued to perform and compose music throughout his life, and he was recognized as a master of Nubian music and culture. He passed away on May 22, 2006, in Berkeley, California, where he had lived for many years. In addition to his musical contributions, El Din was also an advocate for the preservation of Nubian culture and heritage. He worked to document traditional Nubian music and to promote its recognition and appreciation around the world. Overall, Hamza El Din was a pioneering composer and musician who brought the sounds and rhythms of Nubian music to audiences around the world. His unique style and powerful voice continue to inspire and influence musicians and listeners alike.

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