Ala K.

Ala K., from Tunisia, is a seasoned vocalist and oud player known for his deep roots in traditional Arabic music. Born into a musical family, Ala was introduced to music at a young age, learning the oud from his father and the kanun from his mother.

Influenced by the classical Egyptian Adwar and Muwashahat music of the early 1900s, Ala’s style is a tribute to iconic composers like Ibrahim Safti, Said Darwish, and Abou El Ala Mohamed. He also incorporates elements of North African Andalusian music into his performances, blending historical depth with his unique approach.

Throughout his career, Ala has achieved several noteworthy accomplishments. He was part of the winning University of Sfax band at the national university competition in 1998, performed at the Opera House in Egypt during the 1999 Arab Music Festival, and appeared at the World Music Festival in Belfort, France, in 2000. Since 2007, he has been active with the Aswat Ensemble and Cal Performances, collaborating with various Bay Area artists from the Arab music scene.

Currently, Ala is exploring a new project that fuses flamenco with North African Raï music, working with a group of acoustic guitarists and oud players. This project reflects his ongoing commitment to innovate within his musical practice.

Ala’s goal is to share the beauty of Arabic music with a global audience and to keep pushing the boundaries of musical fusion.