Reflections Of Palestine

Winner of the 2012 Indie Acoustic Project -World Music Category

Ramzi's Story: From Stones To Strings

Reflections Of Palestineis a heartfelt selection of Ramzi's original compositions and arrangements, which navigate his personal history. As an adult Ramzi promotes peace and understanding through music, but as a boy he was famously photographed hurling stones at Israeli tanks. An image taken in 1987 shows an 8-year-old Ramzi clad in a ruby-red coat and scuffed blue jeans. His small body is arched backwards and in his hand he clasps a large stone, which he is poised to lob with force. That the same Ramzi went on to forge an illustrious career in music hinges on coincidence entirely.

The powerful shot circulated rapidly and became an icon of the First Intifada, the Palestinian uprising of 1987-1993. Posters of Ramzi 'the stone thrower' were sold in the West Bank, and the revered Arab poet Nizar Qabbani wrote a poem inspired by the actions of the young rebel and his comrades, 'The Trilogy of the Children of the Stones' (1988). During his teens Ramzi took part in some free music lessons. Upon discovering his talent, his whole world flipped sideways, and music rapidly became his profession, his life and, most significantly, his weapon.

Ramzi went on to study at the National Conservatory of Angers in France. Currently he performs as a world-class solo musician and as leader of the esteemed Palestine National Ensemble of Arabic Music. He is also the founder of Al Kamandj&;acircti, a music school based in Palestine.

Reflections Of Palestine is a thoughtful instrumental album that showcases Ramzi's skill and artistry, and sensitively narrates his extraordinary story through sound.

For more on Ramzi's story, check out:

Ramzi's Story: Laying Down Stones, Picking Up Instruments NPR(2010)
Amid West Bank's Turmoil, the Pull of Strings" New York Times(2009)