Instagram story viewer> @rihabazar> Posts

Rihab Azar رحاب عازار

@rihabazar

4.3K

followers

2166

following

London-based Syrian oud player, composer & community music workshop leader
Dandelion album is Out on Bandcamp

POSTS STORIES REELS

Dear all

It gives me great pleasure to finally share with you my debut album "Dandelion", a result of years of reflection and hard work.

Link in bio

Musicians:
Andrew Chung: violin @andrewchung3968
Ben Bolt-Martin: cello @benboltmartin
Firas Hassan: percussion @firas_hassan_
Rihab Azar: oud, composition, production, editing & graphic design

Mixing: Ian Dean at Arda Recorders, Porto @creative_dialogue
Mastering: Clara Araújo at Knurl Mastering @clara.mastering

Poetry: @poetry_expansions

Photography: Andrew Cronshaw and Amany Jarboua @amanyjarboua

This album was made possible thanks to a grant from @afac.fund (The Arabic Fund for Arts and Culture)

The dandelion plant has been a strong symbol for me that inspires incredible resilience and enchantment although almost always being on the margins and just surviving really. It's treated by many as a weed although it's one of the most beneficial and beautiful plants around. (You'd be amazed how good it is for the ecosystem around it!).

Why am I telling you about the plant? Because I'd like you to listen to the album through that lens. The music was written in difficult circumstances and I wanted to find solace in digging deep to reach the sources inside of me that can connect me with strength and enchantment at the same time.

I hope you find resonance with this album and enjoy listening to it.

You're also warmly invited to the album launch concert at @kingsplacelondon on the 2nd April.

With much love

Rihab by @rihabazar

'A hearfelt, authentic, and honest album that is immediately appealing'
I loved reading this fresh review of my 'Dandelion' in @blogfoolk , by Francesco Stumpo.
I had to translate it from Italian which added another layer to the thrill 🌼💚
I don't know how to make Instagram show the whole screenshots so I'd love it if you head out to read the review online.
Blogfoolk is a leading online, open access magazine dedicated to folk, traditional & world music.
It's amazing to read how someone received the album the way I intended it and wrote such thoughtful things about it.
It truly made my day.
If you haven't listened to it, head to the bio section.
And if you can spread the word, that'd be amazing.
Love to all 💚🌼
#dandelion #oud #debutalbum #worldmusic #newmusic by @rihabazar

'Dandelion sits as one of the finest contemporary oud albums in recent years' @lachlanrdale wrote.
What a wonderful thing to read first thing in the morning, all the way from Australia 🌼🙏❤️‍🩹 by @rihabazar

Throw back to my album launch back in April and some of the most amazing impressions our audience wrote in the guest book.
As I rushed outside to greet everyone after the concert, I'll never forget how special it felt to see many people old and new friends, and people I don't know wanting to write us something about their time with us.
It was one of those events that's grounded me in so much belief about my shared feeling with others and ways of expression.
Nothing is lost.
Thank you to everyone who wrote us something.
And to the wonderful musicians @frarustumji
@hodacello @antromero_music by @rihabazar

Composed over a decade-long period, ‘Dandelion’ is a record that’s certainly unconventional by Western standards. Yet, it’s also one that goes a long way in acclimatising listeners to Arabic melodic formulas and traditional Syrian tones.

Guided by the brilliant mind of Rihab Azar and her masterful Oud performance, the record also benefits from violin, cello and Arabic percussion, a choice that transforms ‘Dandelion’ into a living, breathing entity, one that borrows from a multitude of influences to then arrive at a very personal and authentic result.

Full article and more records on our website - link in bio! ✌️ by @rihabazar

Grateful to have played my music with wonderful musicians over the last year. It's been a dream come true.
@frarustumji @lilihollandfricke @simonmroth @dongrantscotland @sualeecello @antromero_music @hodacello @andrewchung3968 @benboltmartin @hargrovegraha

#dandelion #newmusic #2026album #oud #quartet by @rihabazar

Wonderful review of Dandelion fresh out from @fvmusicblog 🌼💚
Album link in bio.
You can also find it on some streaming platforms by @rihabazar

Dandelion is now yours on many streaming platforms and on social media music libraries.
This is phase 2 of the promotion period I've decided is happening 🌼
I'd love to see stories made by you with some snippets from the album, and know which pieces accompanied a part of your day. It helps a lot getting people to know about the album.
Thank you.

The album is still of course on Bandcamp which if you're looking to support, is a great means for artist compensation.

Love to all 💚 by @rihabazar

شكرا" للأستاذ جواد الديوب من منصة شغف على الاهتمام و على المصداقية المهنية العالية في الحوار. كتير بيعنيلي أنو عدد كبير من المستمعين بسورية تلقوا الألبوم بآذان شفافة و عقل منفتح. اليوم هو يوم جميل بالنسبة إلي لأنو بيذكرني بقيم جميلة بشترك فيها مع أشخاص كثر ببلدي و خارجه.
لينك الألبوم ب ال bio
#dandelion by @rihabazar

Throw back to April and the album launch at @kingsplacelondon with @frarustumji @hodacello @antromero_music
من حفل إطلاق الألبوم في نيسان الماضي by @rihabazar

It feels great when the engineer/technician gives you the sound you need to completely lock in. by @rihabazar

IGF Guitar Summit celebrates La Leona: Women and the Guitar ✨

Saturday 18th Jul, 7:30pm @kingsplacelondon

This special split bill concert, part of IGF Guitar Summit celebrates La Leona, women and the guitar, features star Syrian oud player, Rihab Azar, and singer/songwriter of Welsh-Ghanaian heritage, Adjua Mensah.

Aga Khan Music Award finalist (2025), Syrian oud player, composer and community workshop leader, @rihabazar is a graduate of the Damascus conservatoire (2014) and was recognised by Arts Council England as a musician with Exceptional Promise (2016).

Rihab was the first woman oudist to perform accompanied by the Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music (2014). Her music was described as ‘infinitely tender and haunting’ and ‘a beautiful balance between tradition and dreamy experimentation’.

Don't miss out on tickets! Book yours now via the link in our bio 🎫

#womeninmusic #oudplayer #oudmusic #womenmusiccreators by @rihabazar