How Grammy-nominated trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf found jazz within the legendary music of Umm Kulthum

Ten years ago, renowned French-Lebanese trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf released a project that was initially frowned upon by some.

The two-time Grammy-nominated musician had a unique idea of playing the iconic love hits of the famous Egyptian songstress Umm Kulthum with a jazz spin  — a sound that was experimental and modern, yet could very well offend Umm Kulthum purists who view her classical repertoire as revered and untouchable.

"When I was working on the album, many people from the Arab world who knew Umm Kulthum’s music said, 'Ibrahim, don’t do this. It’s not good for you, it’s not good for her," he shares with The New Arab.

"Nobody thought I should do it, but to me, that was a good sign. It meant I should do it," Ibrahim continues.

"It meant that there was something that people were scared of, and I had nothing to lose. I believed it was my only way to express my love for Arabic music and jazz at the same time.” 

Ibrahim, who has been playing the trumpet since childhood, was recently invited to perform during the opening of the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, where he mesmerised attendees with a gentle performance of Umm Kulthum's song Alf Leila wa Leila on April 27. 

Later this year, Ibrahim will embark on his Kalthoum tour in France, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands.

Not only does 2025 mark the tenth birthday of Ibrahim's album Kalthoum, but it also represents the 50th anniversary of Umm Kulthum's passing. "She was truly loved," Ibrahim adds. "When you are loved, people don’t forget you."

There is something personal about Ibrahim's relationship with Umm Kulthum, who represents an aspect of his family and youth.

"I grew up listening to her voice... Her voice has always been in my life," he recalled.

"My parents are big Umm Kulthum lovers. We used to play all kinds of singers, like Mohammed Abdel Wahab and Farid Al-Atrash. But Umm Kulthum has a very special place in my father’s heart. He even had a closet containing his collection of her recordings, which was locked; it was like treasure. It reminds me of why I value music so much over anything else, even money."

Respecting the original melodies and harmonies, Ibrahim released Kalthoum, comprising seven tracks, some of which are over 10 minutes long. The album was met with a positive response. 

"Her songs are all about love. Love is like a metaphor, it’s about something bigger than us. It’s very spiritual,” Ibrahim shares.

In retrospect, Ibrahim shares that he wouldn’t have made any changes to the album. "Once the recording is released, it’s not mine anymore. It’s done. It is what it is,” he added.

Sonically, it's an organic, soulful and soft-sounding blend of Arabic tarab music and jazz, which the Grammy-nominated artist believes are linked. “In my opinion, jazz and Arabic music are very similar in many aspects," Ibrahim explained. 

"One of the reasons is very obvious to everyone; Egypt has always been one of the main bases of Arab culture. Egypt is African, and the roots of jazz are African, too. If you dig into the quarter tones and scales, or the blue notes in jazz, it’s the same DNA," he continues. 

"I started singing Alf Leila wa Leila with jazz harmonies, and it worked perfectly. How come? I was surprised myself to see that Umm Kulthum’s music is jazz. Once I started working and developing it, it was my door to get into the jazz world.”

The art cover of the album was also an unusual, striking choice — a stripped-down, delicate portrayal of femininity. It's a simple, dimly lit photograph, shot by French photographer Ronald Martinez, of a young woman turning her bare back towards the viewer, while maintaining direct eye contact. 

“When I saw it, I immediately thought that this woman in my imagination looked like Umm Kulthum when nobody sees her,” said Ibrahim.

"She’s vulnerable in her intimacy, but nothing vulgar. In a way, for me, it was a message because it was a way to show that Umm Kulthum can be seen differently. I’m going to show you another perspective of who Umm Kulthum could be.”

Aside from her incredible artistry, one undeniable thing about Umm Kulthum was her strong persona, which Ibrahim admires.

"I have two daughters and a son, and I think about what life I want my children to have, especially the girls, and Umm Kulthum is an example of a strong Arab woman,” Ibrahim said.

"When you learn about her life, how her father used to dress her like a boy to be able to sing, and the fact that she was an independent woman, almost like a feminist at that time — all this power she had is very inspiring."

For more information on the Kalthoum tour, head to www.ibrahimmalouf.com 

Rawaa Talass is a freelance journalist focusing on art and culture emerging from the Middle East. Her work has been published in Art Dubai, Arab News, Al Arabiya English, Artsy, The Art Newspaper, Kayhan Life, Dubai Collection, and The National

Follow her on Instagram: @byrawaatalass