Zaki Nassif

Zaki Nassif is of the first generation Lebanese composers who accompanied the rise of Radio Liban in the 1940s and continues today as a force in Lebanese folk music. Born in Machghara, the largest town in the western Bekaa Valley in 1915 and was involved in music and country folk poetry (zagal, maannaa, ataba, mijana, abu el zuluf, etc) at an early age. He was one of the Big Five who contributed material to Radio Orient and Radio Liban in the 1950s (among whom we find Halim al Roumi, father of Magida, and Tawfic al Basha, Phélémone Wehbé, etc.). Zaki Nassif does not belong to the Rahbani School of music that married western classical and folk music with old Lebanese traditional gigs. Rather he remained with the old material but with a fresh spirit of the Lebanese country side. His songs are always played on Lebanese TV stations along with scenery from Lebanon (Baladi Habibi, Ya Daya'ati- my village, etc). On his 85th birthday he was interviewed at length in Lebanon by various media venues.

Zaki Nassif is remembered during the civil war for his anthem song "Rajeh Yittammar" (Lebanon will be rebuilt) at a time when violence and destruction were the rule rather than the exception in Lebanon. The song is upbeat and inspires patriotism and is recommended as a staple Zaki Nassif's material. In 1995, to the surprise of many who thought that Zaki Nassif cannot produce new material, Zaki Nassif composed a full album for Fairuz ("Fairuz Chante Zaki Nassif, Voix de l'Orient label). The CD contains excellent material that shows the variety of expression Zaki Nassif has. Watch for the Andalusian passages, the poem by Khalil Gibran (Ya Bani Oummi) and its entry piece, or the love song Ahwak. The CD is adorned with a beautiful painting of Fairuz that was distributed as a poster by the Chahine Brothers to accompany the release. Zaki Nassif has many protégé new singers to whom he composes material suitable for their vocal abilities. One interpreter of Zaki's songs is Nicholas al Osta. Zaki Nassif went into dispute with Nidal Huleihel over copyright regarding a Baalbeck folk music material for Dabké dance. To the dismay of his admirers, Zaki Nassif remained a man with limited income as his 60 years in the music industry did not win him a decent living. This is the case with many Lebanese musicians. Zaki Nassif's albums are available for sale every where as he still very popular and a household name in Lebanon. We know of at least 4 CDs issued in the past 5 years by Voix de l'Orient. To the delight of the listeners, Zaki Nassif's CDs are usually crammed with over 20 songs or 70 minutes. This is similar to Fairuz's reissues of her old material which the label reprineted with remastering in Greece. For lovers of Lebanese folk music and song Zaki Nassif is definitely a must.

Zaki's Biography By Kamal Dib

Obituary

Zaki Nassif, one of Lebanon's most renowned composers, died on March 11 from a heart attack. He was 88.

Nassif studied music at the American University of Beirut in the 1930s. He launched his show business career as a singer and composer for Radio-Orient and Radio Liban.

An accomplished songwriter, Nassif composed or sang more than 2,000 folk songs during his six-decade career. His music preserved the essence of traditional Lebanese music, and was performed by many famous Lebanese artists, including diva Fairuz and Wadih Safi, the country's most famous singer. He was best known for writing the patriotic anthem, "Rajeh Yittammar Libnan" (Lebanon Will Be Rebuilt), a song that encouraged citizens to reconstruct their country after the 1975-1990 civil war.

In 1995, Nassif composed an album with Fairuz, titled "Fairuz Chante Zaki Nassif" (Fairuz Sings Zaki Nassif). He also served as a judge on the TV talent show, "Studio El Fann" (Art Studio).

• Listen to a MIDI of Nassif Music