Hussein Zahawy

Hussein Zahawy is a Kurdish Percussionist for folk, art music and jazz.
Hussein Zahawy was born in December 1980 into a Kurdish family. He spent his childhood in the the Iraqi part of Kurdistan and then moved to the UK with his family at the age of 10. After completing school, he went on to study for A Levels in Music, English and English Literature. He went to the University of London and studied for a BA in Ethnomusicology.
At the age of 5, his Grandfather introduced him to the daf (Kurdish frame drum), which was to become a way of discovering other percussion instruments of the world. When he was 13, he was invited to join the first national Radio and Television Orchestra of Kurdish music in Europe.
As well as being a professional percussionist, he also gains work through acting roles with theatre companies in both the UK and USA. From a very early age, he has always shown a keen interest in following a career path in music. It was all around him as he grew up. So it’s no surprise to see that he has become a young, talented, professional percussionist. Hussein has a wide range of musical influences: Kurdish, Turkish, Arabic, Persian, Indian, Mediterranean, Jazz, etc.
Hussein is currently based in London, UK. He would describe his music as: “…rhythmic ingredients from some of the Middle Eastern traditions like Persian, Kurdish, Turkish and Mediterranean interpreted in his own personal style.” Musically, He has recently completed his first solo album of percussion compositions called One Word, which is due for release at the 2008.
Islam has a vast musical heritage, stretching from Morocco to China, being brought up in a Muslim family, he has always been exposed to the style, which is reflected in the sound and choices of instrument. Hussein’s music sends out messages of rhythm and unity. Percussive instruments are found in all music, and so he uses these because no matter what background you are from, it can get you dancing.
He considers his versatility as a musician as one of his biggest achievements - being able to span many genera is talent in itself for such a young man. He also says being asked to work on the Hollywood movie Kingdom of Heaven, (2005) soundtrack and also working with other big named artists, (Sami Yusuf, Kadim al-Saher and Shahram Nazeri).
Currently he has been taking his percussive works and with the help of choreographers has created two dance projects, which will premiere in early 2008. He also plans to release a second album featuring different percussionists. His goals are to play music for the sake of love, peace and harmony because music is an important thing that unites people.
In his spare time he likes to keep fit and healthy, spending time with his family, listening to and playing music.
Hussein’s message for his fans is: “We need to love and care for each other more. Enjoy the moments. Take them and cherish them.”
Source: Hussein Zahawy
Watch and listen the vídeos: Daf solo, Culture event,
Bêrîvan, When Cultures talks, Joue pour Nazand,
Music Beyond Borders, Sohrab & Hussein, On the Surface, from Pantos to Persia, Aynur & Morgenland, Daf o Oud, Islamic Relief, Distance, Distance Track 4, ILM Awards, Voices from the Warm Lands track 7, Morgenland Festival, Return track 8, Solo Daf, Persian TV Documentary Part 1, Part 2, 
Trio Mara, Hajar, Pontic Dance track 5, Onion, Living
Islam, Pontic Lyra, Dance of East, Mix (50 videos),
Mix (50 videos) and Mix (50 videos).