TALAH TURK (ABU DHABI)
When a country is continuously raising the bar for excellence and innovation, it takes an extraordinary talent to command attention. That, however, comes naturally to triple-threat singer, oud-player and composer, Saif Al Ali. The young Emirati carved out a special corner for himself in the local music scene, offering a unique sound experience.
Early Days with Music
Al Ali grew up admiring his musician father, subconsciously absorbing his skills and passion over the years. His love for music came naturally, and he was fortunate to be gifted with a strong voice. Knowing that talent alone was not enough, he began his musical education as a teenager with piano lessons before switching to the oud to stay true to his Emirati identity.
Performing was a regular part of his childhood, beginning with traditional musical performances and eventually going on to represent his country across the region and on the international stage. Over the years, what began as a love for the arts evolved into a lifelong mission driven by a greater purpose.
Middle Ground
Excelling in the Emirati music scene, Al Ali has taken his craft to the next level by finding innovative ways to blend genres from different cultures, venturing into uncharted musical territory with every project. Most recently, for example, he performed at Berklee’s Jazz Night Abu Dhabi, singing Emirati lyrics while playing the oud against the backdrop of a jazz band.
Explaining how he embarked on this new creative journey, Al Ali spoke about his appreciation for different “colours of music”, the joy of singing in different dialects, and experimenting with diverse cultural styles. “I like variety, and I enjoy singing different genres such as Sudanese, Moroccan and Ethiopian. When I realised I had the skill, I thought, why not?”
Prep work is an important foundational step of Al Ali’s creative process, and he explained that it takes much more than what the audience might assume. By drawing inspiration from different musical traditions, Al Ali creates something entirely new while doing justice to both cultures. “I immerse myself in the other culture, understand it deeply and find the similarities between the two. The possibilities are endless...”
One of his upcoming projects, for example, began when he was “drawn to certain colours of Italian music that share similarities with colours of Arabic music, specifically a musical colour of our own called Al Nahma, which is traditional maritime music. So now, I’m planning a trip to Italy in September to study it up close.”
The secret, in his opinion, lies in understanding the origins of each musical tradition. “I believe that the cultural context is just as important, if not more important, than the music itself.”
Emirati Pride
Al Ali explained that his efforts to blend musical traditions are, in fact, an act of patriotism. “We take pride in the authentic nature of our traditional music. And we have more than 28 colours of Emirati music to match with others. Why should we stop there?” Through this approach, Al Ali brings Emirati music that resonates with both musicians and listeners to the broader global stage.
When asked about his mission as an artist, Al Ali said, “I strive to make a good impression and remind people that nothing is impossible for an Emirati.” He stressed that “As long as you do not hurt anyone, and refrain from using offensive language or melodies, then nothing should hold you back.”
Power to Younger Generation
Al Ali also expressed his hope of inspiring other young, talented Emiratis to pursue a career in music if it is their passion. “It’s all about trying,” he said.
Reflecting on the opportunities available in the UAE, he added, “Our country has given us everything that we might need. There’s nothing that any other country could offer its people that isn’t available to us right here.”
“Just go for it and try once, twice and three times. Live through the experience and then learn from it. Eventually, you will succeed.”