Farah Siraj
Farah Siraj
Image courtesy of the artist
Named Jordan's Musical Ambassadress, virtuoso Farah Siraj balances a career that spans the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.
Siraj has performed at the United Nations, Nobel Prize Hall, World Economic Forum, John F. Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and many other prestigious venues. In 2011, Siraj released her album NOMAD, funded personally by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan. On NOMAD, she performs original compositions, fusing influences of Middle Eastern music, flamenco, jazz, bossa nova, and pop, with lyrics in Arabic, Spanish, and English.
One year after releasing NOMAD, Siraj presented the Arabian Jazz Project, featuring original compositions and traditional Middle Eastern tunes set to a jazz context. In June 2014, she released her latest album, Dunya, meaning “world” in Arabic and Hindi. Siraj currently leads an ethnically diverse quintet of Arabian flamenco jazz, featuring world-class musicians from the Middle East, Europe, the United States, and South America.
As a humanitarian, Siraj focuses on raising awareness about the consequences of war and violence. She also advocates for women's rights, refugee rights, and animal rights. In recognition of her humanitarian efforts, Siraj was invited to perform at the United Nations Humanitarian Awards, and her music was played before the United Nations Security Council before passing legislation regarding genocide in Darfur.