Onstage company
Documented collaborators
Naseer Shamma is one of the world’s most influential oud virtuosos, renowned for blending traditional Arabic maqam with contemporary soundscapes. Born in 1963 in Kut, Iraq, he trained at the Baghdad Music Academy and earned a PhD in Musical Philosophy, shaping a career that spans performance, education, and humanitarian work. He founded The Arab Oud House (Beit el Oud), establishing schools in Cairo, Abu Dhabi, Alexandria, Baghdad, and beyond, to cultivate the next generation of oud players and musical thinkers. Shamma was designated a UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2017 and serves as a WHO Health Champion and IFRC ambassador, using music to promote health, peace, and cultural dialogue. His discography ranges from Le Luth de Bagdad (1994) to ABWAB (2024) and numerous cross-cultural collaborations that reflect his global outlook.