Ibrahim Maalouf: ‘My Life Has Been a True Roller Coaster’

“Jazz is Life coming out of a horn” was the definition of the music from a jazz musician of yore. Wise and probably well-experienced words from a man who clearly knew ‘where it was at’.

Jazz indeed is expressing the story of the experience of one’s life. You play it because you’ve lived it.

This yardstick describing the unique aspect of jazz applies quite especially to jazz trumpet player Ibrahim Maalouf who is due to perform on Nov. 29, 2024 at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC ) in Mumbai.

Maalouf is a Lebanon-born musician, now living in France, whose early years have been tempered by experiencing the turbulence of war. These are conditions which surely shape and even dictate the musical journey of this young performer.

Ahead of his India concert, Rolling Stone India spoke with Ibrahim Maalouf to understand his musical journey and success.

We were pleasantly surprised by the frankness and candor that was forthcoming from Maalouf. It was joy and celebration, not pain and grief that came through.

Rolling Stone India: Being from Beirut and now living in France, how did you take to jazz music?

Ibrahim Maalouf: I grew up in a culture where all types of music was heard all the time, every day! Jazz came into my life fairly quickly, actually I must have been around 16 or 17. In the middle of my classical music studies I discovered, thanks to Miles Davis that it was possible to play differently. That was a real breakthrough for me.

In jazz, the musicians are said to express the experience of their own lives. What life experiences do you bring to your play?

My life has been a true roller coaster since my earliest childhood. I was born in a hospital that was being bombed and my youth was shaped by a rhythm of bombings around me and my family. My father’s concerts gave us hope. Since then my life has continued to be a wild experience, filled with drama and moments of euphoria. I think what inspires me is not the painful experiences but the artistic path that helps overcome these hardships, making life beautiful despite everything.

“What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong is a song in your repertoire. Has the music of Armstrong influenced you and your music? Are there other trumpet players, or other jazz musicians who have influenced you?

Of course, Louis Armstrong was one of the most inspiring voices because he had such a free voice. But naturally, many other trumpet players have also been huge inspirations. John Hassell, Miles Davis, Don Ellis, Dizzy Gillespie, Jon Faddis, Wynton Marsalis and so on. Beyond trumpet players, many other artists inspire me, even outside of jazz. I couldn’t name them all but I’m inspired by all kinds of music and cultures. Jazz is just a small influence compared to all the magic that the world has to offer.

Any favorite player or style?

Yes. Definitely my father [Nassim Maalouf]. He invented a way of playing the trumpet that no one had done before. He was the first one to play that way. And that is what I have inherited.

Your music seems to create an atmosphere which has the feeling of blending the East and West. It also sounds like a celebration of life. How do you put all this into the music you compose?

I think I have always tried to bring together people who don’t understand each other. My whole life I’ve loved the idea that there is always an artistic answer to every misunderstanding. I am a blend of Western and Eastern cultures and this mix pushes me to understand cultural differences and try to reconcile them through music. My albums are proof that Western and Eastern cultures are entirely compatible. There are so many commonalities; we need to listen and not fear the “other.”

I remember one day I was playing my tribute to the great Egyptian diva Oum Kalthoum at the Lincoln (jazz) Center in New York. I performed one of her biggest Arabic hits in a New York jazz version. It was fascinating to see both, the passionate New York jazz audience and members of the Arab community – who didn’t know jazz – listening to the same music and all enjoying it for somewhat similar reasons with everyone’s hearts beating in unison!

Welcome to India. We hope you have a great trip. And thank you.