Levantine Hues

When a passport became a document of rejection, music became his universal visa. It transcended borders and bridged the gaps between worlds. In times of isolation, it softened the solitude, dissolved labels, and became his voice—a voice that said, above all, "I am human."

Now, through his visionary project ‘Levantine Hues’ Almaghoot brings to life the shared stories of people, their emotions, lays bare their challenges, weaknesses, and strengths, each tale becoming a shade in the vibrant palette that colours his music and his life.
This project, through narratives woven into melodies, marks a career milestone: his debut album release. It is a body of work that reflects an artistic evolution and an emotional journey through experiences of longing, struggle, connection and transcendence.

In an ambitious artistic leap, Almaghoot has embraced the challenge of writing Arabic microtonal music for the bass clarinet, a pioneering achievement for this instrument. His innovative compositions echo the traditions of Arabic music while reimagining them through a modern lens, breathing new life into centuries-old storytelling traditions.

At the heart of this project are compositions inspired by real-life stories of people. Each piece is born from firsthand interviews with individuals whose stories Almaghoot carefully chose to portray or from his very own memories and lived experiences. These melodies give voice to what words cannot fully express, channeling the spirit of humanity in its most vulnerable and authentic form.

Through ‘Levantine Hues’ Almaghoot not only tells these stories, he becomes part of them. These tales, with their challenges and beauty, become the hues that have coloured his artistic vision, crafting a world where listeners are invited to immerse themselves in the richness of human experience.

Art work by Hasan Almaghout

Art work by Hasan Almaghout

Art work by Hasan Almaghout

The music of ‘Levantine Hues’ is storytelling in its purest form, performed by the Almaghoot Quintet—an extraordinary ensemble of musicians from diverse cultural backgrounds. Namely leader and clarinetist Almaghoot, and featuring Iranian tanbour virtuoso Khorshid Dadbeh, Danish jazz guitarist Ties Semey, Austrian bassist Johannes Fend, and Spanish-Luxembourgish percussionist Erik Larrea. Together, they create a soundscape where Arabic Middle Eastern melodies intertwine with jazz harmonies, crafting a musical tapestry that crosses borders and boundaries.

Dedication

This project, ‘Levantine Hues’ is dedicated to Eihab Rasheed, a gifted guitarist and dear friend whose story continues to resonate deeply within me. We met during our studies at Homs University in Syria, where we became roommates and shared not just a living space, but a profound passion for life, music, politics, and creativity.

Eihab was the first to introduce me to the clarinet. He brought me a clarinet that belonged to his sister, knowing that owning a bassoon was beyond my reach due to its high cost and rarity in Syria. When his sister refused to sell her clarinet to me, despite it being unused, Eihab secretly took the instrument and gave it to me, asking me to pay him back in instalments while he assured me he would convince his sister. His kindness, encouragement, and unwavering belief in my musical journey have left a lasting mark on my life.

Sadly, I was unable to repay all the instalments, as in 2013 Eihab was forcibly abducted from the university’s library by the Syrian regime due to his activism, and since that day his fate remains unknown. This project is not only a tribute to his talent and friendship, but also a way to honour the profound role he played in shaping my musical path. His memory lives on through every note; his hues will forever colour my life with joy, music, and cherished memories.

Eihab Rasheed 2010

The clarinet on display in our new home in Rotterdam, no longer playable after the refugee boat drowned in the waters between Turkey and Greece.

Musicians

Khorshid is an accomplished Iranian musician, specializing in the Tar, Tanbour, and Setar. Born in 1995 into an artistic family, she began her musical journey at an early age, learning to play the Setar alongside her father. She later pursued formal music education, first at the Conservatory of Tehran and then at the graduate level in Iran, where she honed her skills and deepened her understanding of traditional Persian music.In pursuit of further musical development, Khorshid completed her master’s degree at Codarts University of the Arts in Rotterdam, Netherlands, where she expanded her artistic horizons.

Khorshid Dadbeh

Teis Semey

Guitarist Teis Semey (DK) has quickly made a name for himself in the last few years. If withthe punk-infused avant garde of the Teis Semey Quintet, the choral folky Midnight Mess or the electro/acoustic Raw Fish, Semey’s storm-in-with-guns-blazing attitude to music has earned him his spot as one of the most important young up-coming names in the Europeanjazz scene in 2023.The Danish smorgasbord of inspiration is out for the kill, and always hungry for music. Teis Semey is a “charmingly nonchalant” who “... grabs you by the shoulders, and screams astory into your face. But a story with depth and nuance" - Jazzism.

Ghaeth Almaghoot

Ghaeth Almaghoot is a Syrian / Dutch clarinetist from a small city called Salamiyah, Syria. He did not start his journey with music as a child, it was later at age 21 that he first began playing the clarinet. He moved to live in The Netherlands in 2015 after fleeing the war in Syria; making a new start as both a student and musician under the guidance of his teacher, Alex Simu.Ghaeth is a graduate from the conservatoire of Rotterdam, Codarts  class of 2022, gaining a Masters degree centred around Ethnomusicology at Codarts Rotterdam. Ghaeth has been involved in many different projects during his career and fortunate enough to tour over 17 countries worldwide with his music

Johannes Fend

Johannes Fend is an accomplished double bassist with a distinctive voice, blending jazz and classical influences into a rich, expressive sound. Originally from Austria, Johannes studied jazz and classical double bass at the Prins Claus Conservatory and completed a master’s degree at the Rotterdam Conservatory.He won prizes like the Leiden Jazz Award, Erasmus Jazz Prize (Best Soloist), and “Keep anEye on Jazz – The Records” competition. His solo project received the 2nd prize at the Il SoleIn Cantina Award, and he received high praise for his debut solo album ‘Journey’ with which he toured in Europe and the US. Johannes is very active in the European music scene. Critics praise him as “innovative, virtuoso, and sensitive” (Süddeutsche Zeitung) and as “exceptionally musical” (Eddy Determeyer).

Erik Larrea

Erik is a Spanish/Luxembourgish drummer, percussionist and music educator. started to play drums and percussion at the age of seven, beginning his musical studies in Classical percussion at the École de Musique de la Ville d’Echternach, in Luxembourg. In addition, he studied drum set, vibraphone and Latin-percussion. At the age of eighteen, Erik continued his music studies at Codarts, Conservatory of Rotterdam, specialising in Latin-American percussion, drum set and Flamenco cajón. At Codarts, he completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, graduating with ‘Cum Laude’ honors in both. Erikl he has shared the stage with international musicians and ensembles such as, pianist Carlos Matos with CaboCubaJazz, pianist Carlos Cippelletti with HYBRID/C, the Ilu Egbe Afro Cuban folklore ensemble, Acción con Clave, Francisco Peña y La Banda, singer Alberto Caicedo, drummer Lucas van Merwijk and others.