WALID

Experienced Electric/Acoustic Bassist and Oud player into funk, West African music, North African grooves, straight ahead jazz and classical Arabic music. Born 1/1/79 in Tunis, Tunisia,now resides in Boston where he graduated in December 2007 from Berklee College Of Music with a degree in Music Business and Management. Very active in the Boston area as a Bassist and Oud player, Walid collaborated with a variety of bands/artists doing studio work/playing shows on oud , on bass, or on both depending on the occasions. Walid had been mostly associated with funky world music acts when playing the electric bass, classical Arabic chamber ensembles when playing the oud or the upright bass. Studied Arabic Music in the Conservatory of Tunis in Tunisia and started playing the Oud at age 9. Was also student of grand Master Ali Sriti (Anouar Brahem's teacher/ECM records) in 1996.



Walid has participated in numerous tours across the US, playing oud and or bass in major venues in cities like Los Angeles, Houston, Detroit, Louisville, Wahington DC. Walid also participated in educational Arabic music tours bringing awareness about the Arabic world and its rich culture, promoting peace and understanding across the USA through music and discussion panels. Has also extensively collaborated with Jacques Pardo, leader saxophonist of the hot world music band Atlas Soul and recorded bass-oud for Atlas Soul's multi awarded album MABROUKA. Walid collaborated with Group Saloum, the hottest Afro-Beat Mbalax band founded by world-renowned Senegalese griot percussionist Lamine Touré and went on a tour on the American east coast and played for crowds such as that of the prestigious Montréal Festival Les Nuits D'Afrique in Canada in July 2007.



In February 2008, Walid had the privilege of being part of the Arabesque Music Ensemble national tour (www.arabesquemusicensemble.com) playing oud in sold out venues in 6 major US cities, sharing the stage with exceptional musicians including the legendary singer Youssef Kassab and the legendary percussionist Michel Mehrej.



Walid had been honored since 2007 to play upright bass for great Master, violin and oud virtuoso Simon Shaheen (www.simonshaheen.com)performing in sold out Jazz Fusion and Classical Arabic music concerts in Seattle, New York, Vancouver Canada, Boston.



In March 2009, Walid had the privilege of being both the Road Manager and Bass Player for one of the most important Classical Arabic Music tours ever made in the US. The tour was created and directed by Simon Shaheen. Aswat "Celebrating the Golden Age of Arabic Music and Cinema" featured some of the best voices in the Arabic world: Sonia M'Barek form Tunisia, Rima Kchiech form Lebanon, Ibrahim Azzam from Palestine and Khalil Abou Nicolas form Palestine. There were 10 performances in 10 cities in the most prestigious venues in the US including Town Hall in NYC, and the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.