Dudu Tassa and Jonny Greenwood let their stirring Arabic music speak louder than politics

Dudu Tassa and Jonny Greenwood opened the Jerusalem International Oud Festival on Thursday night with a 90-minute set of Arabic love songs from their album "Jarak Qaribak." The 17-member band included musicians from across the Middle East. Tassa spoke about music bridging divisions, while Culture Minister Miki Zohar was booed by the audience.

Dudu Tassa and Jonny Greenwood opened the Jerusalem International Oud Festival on Thursday night with a stirring 90-minute set, performing songs from their 2023 album "Jarak Qaribak." The 17-member band, featuring musicians from across the Middle East, played a mix of classical Arabic love songs with jazzy rock overtones. Tassa, speaking briefly, emphasized music as a unifying force, saying, "Music is the thing that we all love." The concert avoided overt politics, though Culture Minister Miki Zohar was booed by the audience. The collaboration has faced opposition from anti-Israel groups, including canceled tours. The article notes that Greenwood's wife's nephew was killed in Gaza in 2024.