Dhafer Youssef

ABU DHABI PREMIERE

OVERVIEW

Oud player, singer and composer Dhafer Youssef leads his Quintet on a mesmerising journey through soundscapes that bridge East and West. Born in Tunisia, Youssef divides his time between Vienna, Paris and New York and his music reflects this global spirit. Rooted in the Arab musical and vocal traditions of North Africa, he masterfully fuses jazz, European classical forms, Turkish influences and traditional Indian music into sensuous melodies and intricate rhythmic structures.

With driving beats, experimental textures and subtle electronic elements, his music captivates both jazz aficionados and younger audiences alike. An evening of intensity, emotion and the transformative power of sound.

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PROGRAMME

Renowned for his mesmerising voice and his fusion of Sufi heritage, jazz and global sonic textures, Dhafer Youssef brings to Abu Dhabi a deeply evocative programme drawn from his most celebrated works, alongside new creations that explore the limits of musical expression.

Through soaring vocals, oud mastery and improvisation of profound emotional depth, he transports audiences into a sound world where spirituality, rhythm and poetic storytelling intertwine.

Artists

Dhafer Youssef is a Tunisian oud master, vocalist and composer, widely recognised for redefining the oud within contemporary music. Born in the fishing village Teboulba, Tunisia, into a family of muezzins, his musical foundations were shaped by Quranic recitation before discovering the oud. After early musical training in Tunisia, he moved to Vienna, where exposure to jazz, Indian music and global improvisational scenes proved pivotalin shaping his distinctive sound.

Over the past three decades, Youssef has built aglobally acclaimed career, releasing a series of influential albums that fuseoud, voice and contemporary jazz with electronic and orchestral textures. His collaborations span leading artists across Europe, the Middle East and the United States, and his work has appeared on major international stages and festivals worldwide. Today, Youssef stands as one of the most influential figures in contemporary oud performance and composition.

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STUDENT DISCOUNT

Students aged 23 and under are eligible to purchase Silver category tickets for AED 50.
To access the student ticket offer, a valid student ID and proof of age must be presented upon entry to the venue.
^{*Subject to availability and allocated seating}

PEOPLE OF DETERMINATION TICKET INFORMATION

A 50% discount is available across all ticket categories. Wheelchair users will be charged 50% of the Silver category price, with seating allocated in the designated wheelchair-accessible area.
A valid People of Determination Card should be presented upon entry to the venue.

December 19, 2026

8:00 PM - 9:30 PM

Louvre Abu Dhabi (Auditorium Plaza)

1.30 Hour

Need to know: This is a ticketed event with assigned seating. Please arrive at least 30 minutes before the start time to ensure smooth entry. Late arrivals will only be allowed during intervals, if the programme includes one.

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Doors open at

7:00 PM

Reviews (157)

James Anderson

Excellent

Absolutely breathtaking! The performances were an extraordinary blend of power and emotion, leaving the audience completely captivated. It felt like a true celebration of artistry, where every detail was executed with such passion and precision.

Sarah Mitchell

Excellent

An unforgettable experience! The energy, the passion, and the sheer talent on display were incredible. It’s an event that stays with you long after it’s over.

Michael Johnson

Excellent

Such an extraordinary evening! The atmosphere was alive with anticipation, and the performances exceeded every expectation. Each moment was filled with beauty, elegance, and emotion that drew the audience into the world unfolding on stage. It was a magical experience, one that left me feeling inspired and deeply connected to the universal language of art.