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Indroducing Ibrahim Maalouf

Guest Artist of Beyond Music Submission Vol. 5

Our guest artist
for Vol.5

The creative Inspiration

Every Beyond Music album begins with a shared creative idea. For Vol.5, that inspiration is the trumpet.

Why the trumpet?

Few instruments have accompanied humanity as universally as the trumpet. Across cultures, continents and generations, its voice has marked moments of celebration, ceremony, communication, spirituality, leadership, resilience and hope. Again and again, it has brought people together, across languages, traditions and borders through the universal language of music.

For Beyond Music, the trumpet is therefore far more than an instrument. It reflects the very idea at the heart of our community: that one shared inspiration can bring people from different cultures together and give rise to unique artistic expressions.

The trumpet serves as a shared creative starting point – not to define the music, but to connect artists through one common inspiration while leaving every artistic possibility open. Every submission must include the trumpet as an integral part of the artistic concept. Beyond this shared creative element, there are no stylistic boundaries. Whether your music is vocal or instrumental, rooted in jazz, classical, pop, folk, electronic, hip hop or your own cultural traditions, every creative voice is welcome.

Curious to hear Ibrahim's vision for this creative journey?

Portrait of Ibrahim Maalouf seated with a trumpet against a dark backdrop

Join us for a global collaboration

For Beyond Music Vol.5, internationally acclaimed trumpeter, composer and producer Ibrahim Maalouf invites the Beyond Music community to join him in an extraordinary global collaboration. 

Throughout his career, Ibrahim has built bridges between musical traditions, cultures and generations. Blending jazz, classical music, Arabic influences and contemporary sounds, he has become one of today's most distinctive musical voices – driven by curiosity, openness and the belief that music can bring people together.

That spirit lies at the heart of Beyond Music Vol.5.

Together, we are not simply creating an album. We are creating new musical encounters, new artistic perspectives and new connections that could only happen through Beyond Music.
 

Trumpet, oud, sitar and percussion instruments arranged in a music studio beside a grand piano
Ibrahim Maalouf playing trumpet during a live performanc

Meet
Ibrahim Maalouf

Guest Artist & Curator of Beyond Music Vol.5

"Why I do music is because it connects me
to everybody on this planet."

Born in Beirut in 1980 and raised in Paris after his family fled the Lebanese civil war, Ibrahim Maalouf has built a career defined by curiosity, cultural openness and the belief that music can bring people together across borders.

Renoned for his mastery of the quarter-tone trumpet, invented by his father Nassim Maalouf, he has created a musical language that moves effortlessly between jazz, classical music, Arabic traditions and contemporary influences. Rather than belonging to a single genre or culture, his music celebrates dialogue, blending diverse musical worlds into a sound that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

For Ibrahim Maalouf, music is not defined by borders or genres, but by its ability to create dialogue, foster understanding and connect people across cultures. This philosophy has shaped his artistic journey and established him as one of today's most distinctive musical voices.

Over the past two decades, Maalouf has released more than twenty acclaimed albums, composed award-winning film scores and performed on some of the world's most prestigious stages while collaborating with artists including Sting, Quincy Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Marcus Miller, Angélique Kidjo, Jon Batiste, Gregory Porter and the Kronos Quartet. A two-time Grammy nominee, he is recognised worldwide as one of the leading voices in contemporary instrumental music.

Beyond his remarkable artistry, Ibrahim Maalouf is admired for using music as a bridge between cultures, traditions and people. His lifelong commitment to intercultural dialogue and creative collaboration reflects the values at the very heart of Beyond Music, making him the ideal artistic partner for Beyond Music Vol.5.

Become part of
Beyond Music Vol.5

Join the Project

Beyond Music Vol.5 brings together artists from around the world in an extraordinary global music collaboration. Curated by Ibrahim Maalouf, the project invites musicians, singers, composers, producers and songwriters to form intercultural teams and create original music across cultures. The current submission phase is your opportunity to become part of this unique journey.

Every collaboration begins with one shared creative element – the trumpet. Beyond that, there are no creative boundaries. Every genre, every culture and every artistic perspective is welcome.

More than an album, Beyond Music Vol.5 is an invitation to discover what becomes possible when artists from different backgrounds create together with openness, curiosity and mutual respect. Throughout the creative process, music becomes a shared language that builds new friendships, new perspectives and lasting artistic connections.

Ready to join the journey?

Portrait collage of Beyond Music artists and participants from around the world

Learn more about how Ibrahim Maalouf will shape Beyond Music Vol.5 as Guest Artist & Curator.

Explore the submission process, discover the awards and prizes, review the participation requirements and find everything you need to join this global music collaboration.

Learn more