| Omar Bashir | |
| Native Name: | عمر بشير |
| Native Name Lang: | arabic |
| Background: | non_vocal_instrumentalist |
| Birth Date: | 1970 5, mf=yes |
| Birth Place: | Budapest, Hungary |
| Origin: | Mosul, Iraq |
| Genre: | World music |
| Occupation: | Musician |
| Instrument: | Oud, guitar, piano |
| Years Active: | 1990s–present |
| Label: | EMI, INEDIT |
Omar Bashir (Arabic: عمر بشير) is an Iraqi-Hungarian musician. He is the son of Munir Bashir, who is widely considered to be one of the most important virtuosos in the history of the oud and a master of the modal tradition of Arabic maqam.
Omar Bashir was born in Budapest in 1970, where he began playing the oud with his father at the age of five. He later attended the Baghdad Music and Ballet School and eventually formed his own ensemble, which toured many countries around the world.[1] In 1991, he returned to Budapest and joined the Franz Liszt Academy.[1]
Omar performed both as a soloist and alongside his father Munir until the death of Munir in 1997.[1] Omar has toured many countries throughout his career and released more than 20 albums. His music blends traditional Arabic music and improvisation with other musical influences, such as jazz, flamenco music, and Hungarian Romani Music.[2]
Omar Bashir has released a total of 23 CDs as a solo artist, as well as several albums recorded with his father and other musicians. His album Crazy Oud was released in 2010 by EMI and topped the charts in several Arab countries. Below is a chronological listing of his solo discography:
Lebanon: Almadina Theatre - Beirut, Alhariri Theatre - SajdaEgypt: The Opera House in Cairo and AlexandriaSyria: City Theatre, Mar Elyan Church & The International FestivalJordan: The Royal Theatre & Jerash FestivalTunisia: Al Mashtal Theatre, Ken FestivalMorocco: Fes, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakesh, Tetouan, and Agadir. Oud Duo tour concert: Munir Bashir & Omar as well as solo oud performances in Mawazine Festival and Oud International FestivalAlgeria: National TheatrePalestine: Ramallah Popular Art CentreUAE: Dubai and Abu Dhabi: Islamic Music Festival and WOMAD FestivalBahrain: 5th Spring Cultural FestivalUSA: Toured extensively through various US states, including New York, Washington, Durham, Arkansas, Denver, and others. Performed at prestigious venues such as Cambridge Academy, Lincoln Jazz Theatre, Symphony Space, The Duke University, World Culture Museum, Kennedy CentreCanada: Montreal, Arab Music Festival (2008, 2015)
Omar Bashir has performed extensively across various states in the United States, including New York, Washington, Arkansas, Colorado, and others. He has graced numerous prestigious venues such as the Cambridge Academy, Lincoln Jazz Theater, Symphony Space, Duke University, the World Culture Museum, and the Kennedy Center.[4] [5]