Yair Dalal

Yair Dalal must have had a long road to hoe. He's an Iraqi Jew playing Arabic Jewish music in the Middle East -- the political climate doesn't get much hotter than that. But that's precisely where Dalal likes to dwell: at the many points where Jewish and Arab culture mingle and seem -- at times -- indistinguishable. Playing masterful oud (Middle Eastern lute), Dalal's tunes show a light, distinctive touch. He takes the classical Arabic scale and composes melodies that entice even the untrained ear with their bright, engaging feel.