A Word With Dhafer Youssef

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Dhafer Youssef? It's a bit like that when I mentioned to friends that I was going to be talking to one of the greatest Oud players in the world. The second look of puzzlement comes after mentioning the oud. The Oud is a cultural instrument from Dhafer's home country of Tunisia in Northern Africa and creates a sound that is at once Marrakesh Markets and Blue Note records. Indeed that's probably the best place to come at Dhafer's music from. Ecclectic and prophetic jazz with a spiraling and enchanted voice. I caught up with him ahead of his big show at the Festival Theatre on the 25th of March.

Dhafer, your history is quite amazing to me – a person who has spent the majority of their life in Austria.Seven brothers and sisters, Tunisia and your first instrument all add to your amazing achievement as a world-renowned musician.What are the special memories in your life, where do you most often go in your mind to illicit the emotion so prevalent in your music?

I'm not that religious. I grew up with the Islamic tradition, and what I still have from that is a sense of the mystical. That's what music is for me. Then there is Sufism. In Tunisia there are a lot of ways or schools of Sufism, not only one way. I come from a school that says all is dedicated to God, as when the dancer lifts her hand up, looking for God. If I was Sufi i wouldn't be here, I would be in Tunisia, living just for God. I don't need that. If God created me that means I have the opportunity to decide for myself. I'm a musician.

Your music has been described as many things by critics and fans alike. How would you describe your music and what has Norway taught you?

"Nils Petter Molvaer invited me first to Norway to play with him and the singer Anneli Drecker." This lead to my third albume Digital Prophecy.I just love playing with musicians from the North. They are more African than some Africans and they are an inspiration to me especially Eivind Aarset, a great guitarist in the world today, of course Nils Petter Molvaer, Kjetil Bjornstad, Drummer Rune Arnesen and bass player Audun Erlien.I only occasionaly play with them now because I am moving somwhere else musically but they remain a great inspiration as always.

You speak fondly of your time in Vienna. What is the best & worst thing about travelling for a living? Traveling is all about the band: waiting at airports, traveling together, being on the road, in a bus, sharing good food.

Why did September 11 cause you to return to Paris? Paris has not been so safe either, especially with the perceived inequity of the Maghreb working/student class. What is Paris like now, what do you believe needs to happen in France to settle this deep social issue?

I had planned to live in New York before then , but moved to Paris where I feel safe and good generally, even though I travel most of my time... I'm sorry I am not a politician and cannot answer this issues.

Tell me about the oud and why it’s your instrument.

Usually in a restaurant, people walk by and ask me what is in his oud case,I always tell them : "My mother in law!"I fell in love with the sound of the instrument because it is the sound my routs, Tunisia, where I come from. If I was from Africa, I would play the drums probably and if I was from New York - saxophone. But I was born in Tunisia - so I play the oud..

What’s the future hold for Dhafer Youssef?

I am looking forward to my 2nd Australia tour with Macao and then lots of great concerts in the spring as well as the new baby - new record!!hopefully in the fall!