Issam Rafea

Issam Rafea, also written Essam Rafea (, born 1971 in Kuwait), is a Syrian musician, music director and composer, noted for his compositions and performances on the Arabic oud, as former director of the Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music and for his collaboration with jazz and world music bands. Since 2013, Rafea has lived in Chicago, touring in the US as well as internationally. Biography Born in Kuwait to Syrian parents in 1971, Rafea studied in Kuwait and Syria at the High Institute of Music in Damascus. He obtained his B.A. degree in oud and double bass in 1995. Following this, he was director of the department of Arabic Music at the same institute and was teaching both oud and Western harmony. At the same time, he was also active as composer and arranger for Syrian TV and theatre. Among other awards, he obtained the fourth prize at the Cairo Improvisation Competition 2000 and the second prize at the competition for traditional Arab ensembles in Cairo, Egypt, in 1997. Further to solo appearances on the oud with the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Solhi Al Wadi, Rafea has performed internationally in Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and the United S