Best of: The Arab Blues mixes the music of the Middle East and the Midwest

The Arab Blues is the name of a Chicago duo made up of Karim Nagi and Rami Gabriel. Nagi is a native Egyptian; Gabriel is of Lebanese-Egyptian descent. They are both fixtures of the Chicago music scene, tapping into the city’s deep well of jazz and blues, and fusing it with the traditional music and sounds of their Middle Eastern heritage.

GUESTS: 

Karim Nagi

Percussionist, The Arab Blues

Rami Gabriel 

Oud & other strings, The Arab Blues

​​​​​​A version of this conversation was first broadcast November 8, 2023.