Celebrated Palestinian Nay Master, Faris, mesmerized the audience with his original piece “Nafas” at the TabeIrnacle in London as part of the Palvision x Bethlehem Cultural Festival 2024.
“Nafas,” meaning “Breath” in Arabic, embodies the essence of Nay playing. As Faris explains, mastering the art of breathing is an intimate process. To cultivate a resonant sound, the player must embrace natural breathing, letting go of mental barriers that control inhaling and exhaling. Each breath becomes akin to an unexpected tide in the ocean, where one can truly appreciate its movement and beauty by flowing with it. Ultimately, the breathing and the breather become one.
Faris, a Palestinian Nay Master, Percussionist, and Composer, is redefining the parameters of the Nay flute. He pushes musical boundaries by exploring innovative melodic, percussive, and
harmonic sounds. With an evocative and improvisational approach, Faris plays the Nay while accompanying himself on leg-percussion, creating a unique fusion of Middle Eastern, Jazz, and contemporary Folk sounds.
Born in 1993 in Bethlehem, Palestine, Faris taught himself to play the Nay. His self-guided
exploration led him to discover the Nay’s full potential beyond its simple design, playing it in
various musical contexts. The Nay became his companion, driving his curiosity and traditional
music explorations. Faris is renowned for revitalizing traditional Palestinian shepherd playing while pioneering contemporary jazz.
Awarded a full scholarship to study Global Jazz Music at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Faris received the “Matt Marvuglio Best Student Award” for his contributions to jazz music with the Nay. He has collaborated with multi-Grammy award-winning jazz artists such as John Patitucci and Danilo Perez and has been featured on the Grammy-nominated album “Crisalida” and the BAFTA-nominated game “Assassin’s Creed Mirage 2023.” With three albums to his credit, he has performed at prestigious festivals and venues worldwide, including Kings Place in London, Panama, and the Monterey Jazz Festival.
