(PARIS, FRANCE) — Lebanese singer Hiba Tawaji wowed judges on the French version of ‘The Voice’ on Saturday, after performing the Arabic rendition of Michel Legrand’s Les moulins de mon cœur, or The Windmills of my Heart.
All four judges granted Tawaji a standing ovation following her live performance. They praised her “audacity” that defied traditional elements of Arabic music.
“I’m blushing because you are a great singer,” Lebanese-British singer Mika told Tawaji, who later selected him as her mentor.
Tawaji is widely known for collaborating with prominent producer and composed Oussama Rahbani in 2007.
In 2014, Aline Lahoud also wowed judges after performing “Khedni Maak,” but was eliminated in the second round.
(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Thousands of mourners gathered in Beirut on Sunday to celebrate the life of Lebanese singer and actress Sabah who died this week at the age of 87.
A military brass band played in the street outside St. George Cathedral in downtown Beirut, where fans clapped and sang their favorite Sabah songs.
Earlier, a troupe of dancers in traditional dress performed to the diva’s music played from loudspeakers.
Her coffin, which was draped with a Lebanese flag, was brought to church where Maronite Patriarch Beshara Rai presided over the religious ceremony.
“I will call it celebration, not a funeral,” said Lebanese actress Ward El-Khal. “We feel today that we came here to share her feelings and to remember her. We will miss her.”
Sabah was buried on Sunday in the village of Bdedoun, where she was born.
The iconic singer and actress was beloved throughout the Arab world, with her seven-decade career and her colorful love life keeping her in the headlines until the end.
Born Jeanette Gergis Feghali, she later took the screen name Sabah, but was affectionately known as Sabbuha, or the nickname Shahrura, or songbird.
She began performing in the 1940s, earning a reputation for her renditions of patriotic songs as well as folkloric ballads. She was also an icon of the big screen, appearing in more than 90 movies.
Watch Part 1 of Sabah’s funeral below, courtesy of MTV Lebanon:
Watch Part 2 of Sabah’s funeral below, courtesy of MTV Lebanon:
RELATED: Lebanese icon Sabah dies at 87. Read more.
(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Lebanese singer Sabah, one of the leading Arab performers of her generation, has died at the age of 87, her family said on Wednesday.
Born Jeanette Feghali and known to her fans as the “singing bird,” Sabah recorded at least 4,000 songs in her lifetime, released over 50 albums, and acted in 98 films.
In the mid-1970s, she became the second Arab singer after Egypt’s Oum Kalthoum to perform at L’Olympia in Paris. She also performed at London’s Royal Albert Hall and the Sydney Opera House.
Sabah was born to a Christian family in the village of Bdedoun, a Lebanese town in the Baabda-Aley province. She is known for her multiple marriages, tying the knot with at least nine men.
Her last marriage, to Lebanese artist Fadi Lubnan, lasted 17 years. She had two children, Dr Sabah Shammas and actress Howayda Mansy, both of whom live in the United States.
She released her first song in 1940, while her parallel screen career began three years later in Egypt, the centre of the Arabic film industry.
In Lebanon, Sabah was often humorously mocked for refusing to leave the limelight, as well as her garish outfits and use of cosmetic surgery.
But she was unabashed: “I’m proud that I’m a village girl but I had a lot of ambition,” she said in 2008.
“She broke so many taboos. I don’t know if she was even aware of it,” said Chady Maalouf, head of programming at Voice of Lebanon radio.
“She was the example of a star, she was totally complete in her appearance, behavior and voice. She shocked people all the time.”
“Today, Lebanon lost a legend. Sabah is gone but she remains in our hearts,” famed Lebanese pop singer Nancy Ajram said on Twitter. “Her memory will remain in the minds and hearts of millions.”
Lebanese politician Walid Jumblatt wrote on Twitter: “She was a great singer of a Lebanon that my generation knew, that will never come back”.
Rest in Peace, Sabah.
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(BEIRUT, LEBANON) — Lebanese musical icon Wadih El Safi was often called the “Voice of Lebanon.” On the occasion of Lebanon 71st Independence Day, Lebanese Examiner is remembering Wadih El Safi’s genuine love for his country.
Born in Niha, Lebanon, Wadih El Safi started his artistic journey at the age of seventeen when he took part in a singing contest held by Lebanese Radio and was chosen the winner among forty other competitors.
El Safi died on October 11, 2013.
LISTEN to Wadih El Safi’s performance of “Ya Jaysh Lubnan El Abi:”
LISTEN to Wadih El Safi’s performance of “Lebnan Ya Ote3et Sama:”
CLICK HERE for more coverage of Lebanon’s 71st Independence Day.
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(SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA) — Lebanese superstar Najwa Karam recently lashed out at an audience member on stage in Sydney, Australia after reportedly getting harassed halfway during her performance.
“Money does not buy us nor does it buy you, and shame on you for what you are doing,” she told the unidentified man.
Karam, who is known for her modesty and lack of controversy, continued with her performance despite the man’s jeers.
“In my life, I have never liked problems on stage, but you are being rude tonight,” she said. “Isn’t there anyone who can push you back tonight?”
Other audience members cheered for her and yelled, “May God strengthen you Najwa!”
It is unclear why the man was supposedly upset.
Watch the amateur YouTube video below:
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BEIRUT: Beirut International Jazz Day is back with a lineup of six acts, which were announced at a news conference Thursday.
Scheduled to take place on April 30 under the patronage of UNESCO, half a dozen performances will transform Beirut’s Downtown into an open-air jazz club.
The Lebanese Conservatory Big Band will open the festivities at 7 p.m., mingling jazz classics with newer tunes. The 18 musicians are set to thrill with rhythmic saxophone, trumpet and trombone solos.
Those whose taste runs toward the good old blues will be happy to hear that The Real Deal Blues Band – considered among the best Lebanese performers representing jazz culture in the country – are scheduled to immerse audiences in their smooth Chicago groove. Composed of Hani Alayli, Elie Farah and Issa Ghrayeb, the band will showcase the sound they’ve been working on together since 1997.
The Real Deal Blues Band will be followed by F.B.B. (aka “Funky Blues Band”), who will reinterpret classics by BB King and Elmore James, among other legendary jazz singers and musicians. Their set should prove a nice test for those who consider themselves aficionados of the jazz classics.
An alternative take on the jazz theme will be provided by Xango. This Lebanon-based band takes its inspiration from Brazilian music and will perform compositions by Toquinho, Sergio Mendes and Baden Powel, to name a few.
Called the “Dean of Jazz Musicians,” Arthur Satyan will also be on hand with his Organ Quartet to perform jazz fusion – both Satyan’s personal compositions and exceptional arrangements. Satyan routinely performs around the city several times a week and has released multiple albums. He is among Beirut’s most prominent jazz musicians, so for those as yet unfamiliar with his work, this could be a chance to discover his unique sound.
Jazzmine Bey Quartet will draw a curtain on this day of jazz grooves with their blend of tunes by McCoy Tyner and Abdullah Ibrahim, among others. Composed of four European musicians, this Beirut-based band promises to bring their own unique blend of jazz fusion to the mix.
Source: The Daily Star
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