Born in Kuwait on June 8 1970, from very artistic parents, Kamal showed unique talents for drawing and playing music from the early age of 3. He started learning guitar at the age of 9 but took it more seriously when he was 17. Kamal was educated as architect and has went through various musical experiences throughout his young age and college times; of which were Arabic bands, Flamenco, Rock and Blues bands. Late 80's to early 90's, he started discovering more of Jazz sounds and got to know Pat Metheny, Miles Davis, George Benson, John McLaughlin, Al Di Meola, among many others. In 1994 he moved to France, where he experienced another true musical atmosphere for four years, attending festivals and concerts in both France and Switzerland. He met artists from all over Europe and the world. There he created a more obvious interest for jazz, and developed his playing style. In 1997 he moved back for one year in Lebanon to work as architect; during which he met Ziad Rahbani and started to be a part of his ensemble. There he was convinced his real passion was music and nothing but that, and had to make a serious decision about his career, either to be an architect or a musician, and he chose to explore the musical world. That decision demanded a new travel to learn about music industry in its proper terms. He chose to go back for one more year in Paris to investigate as much as possible in the field.Kamal’s final return to settle in Jordan, and establish his own label and musical activity, led him to produce his first album “On a Jordan River’s Side” - K&G Productions 2003. At present, he is settled in Dubai, active as performer and producer. His main active bands are Kamal Musallam Group and Kamal Musallam Trio.
Musallam is presently playing a new hybrid of the guitar and oud called the Glissentar, created by Godin. And he has just developed with Ibanez guitars a new design of a signature model mixing jazz guitar and nylon fretless guitar.
Festivals
2009/ Java Jazz Festival, Jakarta, Indonesia
2008/ Dubai International Film Festival, UAE
2007/ Dubai International Jazz festival, UAE
2005/ Abu Dhabi International Jazz Festival, UAE.
2005/ Dubai International Jazz Festival, UAE.
2005/ Musqat International Jazz Festival, Oman.
2004/ Dubai International Film Festival, UAE.
2003/ Abu Dhabi International Jazz Festival, UAE.
2000/ Jerash Festival, Jordan.
Played along with
Bobby McFerrin, Bob Franceschini, Randy Brecker, Ada Rovatti, Stanely Jordan, Ranjot Barot, Anne Ducros, Dwiki Dharmawan, David Reinhardt, Jorge Pardo (Paco De Lucia Sextet), Francisco Molina, Volker Schlott and others.
Records
2009/LULU - K&G Productions
2008/Out of My City - K&G Productions
2004/ZAMAN - EMI (compilation)
2003/On a Jordan River's Side - K&G Productions
2002/Talileh/Jordan in Music - Spotalent (compilation)
Endorsements
2006/ Ibanez Guitars - Japan, www.ibanez.com
2006/ Godin Guitars - Canada, www.godinguitars.com
2006/ Rode Microphones - Australia, www.rodemic.com
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