Saleh & Dawod AlKuwaiti were Jewish musicians who lived in Kuwait in the past. According to the article, they were ingenious musicians “”They even invented certain scales that didn’t exist at the time.” The Emir of Kuwait would go visit them in their house to listen to their music. They named one of their sons Sabah after the Emir’s family name. The Emir also attended his circumcision (6ohoor) and gave them a box full of gold coins as a present.
The part in the article where it mentions their stay in Iraq is what caught my attention the most. It says that the AlKuwaiti brothers were responsible for inventing what we now call “Traditional Iraqi music.” The Iraqi government didn’t want Saleh and Dawod getting credit for the great music they were introducing and were labeling AlKuwaiti’s music as traditional/old iraqi music, as in ‘not originals’, and in some cases it was credited to other musicians by force.
They immigrated later to the newly occupied palestine. That was when they faced the biggest blow to their talents.. Not being able to play their music in concerts, where it belongs, but instead they played in family dinners and parties, “had to play weddings and barmitzvahs and family fiestas, with people eating and drinking… and not listening.”
Anyway. The article is an interesting one and you should read it. The video on top is of a song I’m currently in love with, produced by Saleh AlKuwaiti.
Very interesting!! Thank you for posting this!
Interesting indeed. Received an email about this a few days ago and found it intriguing . Thx for sharing
Its sad how Kuwaiti talent these days are treated and there is no encouragement these days or programs for these talented musicians!
It must have been very tough for these guys not to have their music appreciated or acknowledged!
I loved the song, the music the words, too bad these days there is no depth of passion in the words and music we hear.
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