1. Why are you a musician?

I am a musician because it a transcendental and spiritual practice. I enjoy it and feel that sharing music from a spiritual space is healing to myself, to humanity, and to the world.

2. Who inspired your musical inspirations?

John Coltrane, Jerry Garcia, Miles Davis, Jimi Hendrix, Bill Frissell, Trey Anastasio, Carlos Santana, Keith Jarrett, Eddie Vedder, David Gilmore, Joni Mitchell

3. What is your practicing routine?

Everyday, 8 AM – 9 AM. I work on one concept at at time, and do it very slowly. I also take music lessons once a week, and have been taking music lessons with various teachers pretty much non-stop since 2004.

4. Why did you make this album?

Live in the Khaleej!
Ghazi & Boom.Diwan x Arturo O’Farrill

This was a natural progression and outcome of the Cuban-Khaleeji Project which was commissioned by The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi (2019).

We loved playing together then and we love to play together now. We made this album for of the love of play, of dialog and the elevation of the human spirit.

5. What were the biggest obstacles in making this album?

Honestly, I didn’t feel any real obstacles in making this album.

6. Who is featured on the album?

Ghazi Faisal Al-Mulaifi (guitar, vox), Arturo O”Farrill, Hamad Ben Hussain (percussion, vocals), Hamad Saeed (percussion), Abdullah Al-Mutairi (percussion), Mohammed Al-Mudhafar (percussion), Jasper Shogo Dutz (reeds), Liany Matteo (bass), Claude Cozens (drums).

7. Where may we find you online?

Linktree