Basel Rajoub

Basel Rajoub is a Syrian-Swiss saxophone player. An Aleppo-born and Switzerland-based graduate of the High Institute of Music in Damascus, Rajoub is known for developing oriental music for the saxophone. He performs as a solo artist and leader of the Basel Rajoub Ensemble.

Soriana Project Soriana Project Contemporary Music from the Orient is a body of musical works by Syrian composer and instrumentalist Basel Rajoub. The project features collaborations with like-minded artists celebrating their heritage and paying homage to the gift of musical knowledge.

"Soriana is 'our Syria'. A homeland we left behind, forced out either by a search or by circumstances. We head out thinking that we carry no baggage, completely unaware of the biggest gift our country has bestowed upon us. That gift is the gift of musical knowledge. It remains with me throughout many journeys, it soothes wounds and inspires creation, provides warmth and a platform of stability, images, aromas, tastes that water the mouth and inspire new creations still. This music is my gift to our Syria – Soriana."

Concerts 2014-01-29 UK/London Brunei Gallery Lecture Theatre 2014-02-08 France/Chamonix Cosmo Jazz Festival 2014-04-08 Italy/Quarna sotto Quarna un paese per la musica 2014-04-10 Switzerland/Geneva Dans Le Cadre Du Festival Jazzcontreband 2014-05-10 Austria/Vienna MuTh - Musik und Theater 2014-09-04 Switzerland Cully Jazz Festival 2015-01-05 Switzerland/Martigny Caves du Manoir 2015-02-05 Switzerland Biel Théâtre de Poche 2015-03-27 Switzerland/Geneva AMR Jazz Festival 2015-11-20 UK/London - London Jazz Festival 2016-01-10 Germany/Berlin Radialsystem 2016-05-19 Lebanon/Beirut Sunflower theatre, Springs Festival 2016-05-21 Tunisia/Tunis Hamra theatre, Springs Festival 2016-05-25 Switzerland/Geneva 2016-05-26 Switzerland/Bern ONO 2016-05-29 Switzerland/Zurich Moods 2016-07-24 France/Nasbinals dans le cadre du festival 2016-09-24 France/Paris Institut du Monde Arabe

Awards RMC Radio Monticarlo, music arrangements 2006

Discography 2008 Khameer 2012 Asia 2016 The Queen of Turquoise

Film scores Roubama (2012), directed by Rakan Mayassi (Jordan). Feature film selection by Locarno Film Festival, Beirut International Film Festival Bb (2012) directed by Lamis Al Mouhammad (Syria)