The Chéhadé brothers, composers and
interpreters of their songs, are from Jerusalem where they
were born and raised in a family where art had a prominent
place.
Their home was an open house for poets and
musicians. Together, they can play all Arabic instruments,
such as oud, bouzok, kanoun, violon, double bass, cello, nay,
chabbabeh, tabla, katem, riq …).
Well known in their country, where they
participated in all important concerts and trained bands that
became famous, they represented Palestine in almost all the
capitals of the world. But the 2 young brothers (25 and 26
years old) were dreaming of another career, not only limited
to patriotic or revolutionary songs and cultural festivals…
They wanted a "popular" career, with all the implication
this word carries.
Their debut album "Café de la Méditéranée"
comprises 10 songs in the " light popular tarab"
mood with Greek, Balkan and Turkish influences. The lyrics
(written for the most part by the poet Elia Azar) are full
of humor, and the melodies could be qualified with the subtle
Arabic notion of "inaccessible easiness".
The Chéhadé brothers are accompanied
by a bouzoq, a bouzouki, a oud, a violin, an accordion, a
clarinet, a kanoun, a double-bass and three percussionists.