Tribute to Abou al Hasan ash-Shusturi

S aber Rebaï was born into a family of musicians where his father played the oud and his brother sang. Saber himself began singing and playing the oud and violin at the age of 12.

At 17, passionate about Abd el Wahab, Abd el Halim Hafez and Wadi’ as Safi , he became a professional singer. From early on, his voice was appreciated by the great singers, song-writers and composers of Arabic songs, and Saber travelled from his native Tunisia to the Lebanon , Egypt and the Gulf where he enjoyed great success.

Saber Rebaï has composed the music of many of his songs. His Kelma was an immense hit, and he is now dubbed ‘Arabic superstar’ by the Arabic press.

His album Hayyarouni was much heralded, and the Jordanian producer Hussein Daeibiss made music videos of two of the songs, Hayyarouni and Atazakkarak. Saber’s two songs Sidi Mansour and Ez al habayeb made the most sales of an Arabic song, and his latest album Khalass tarek (2001) was a wonderful success.

Having bowled over the Arab world, i has toured the United States , Canada , Australia , Korea and Europe to great acclaim.