Artists

Bilal Irshed is not just a master of the oud — he is a storyteller whose music transcends borders. With every note, he channels the profound beauty of Arabic musical tradition, while pushing the instrument into new sonic territories, rich with Nordic nuance and African groove.

As the creative heart of the Bilal Irshed Trio, alongside Danish bassist Rasmus Møldrup and Ghanaian percussionist Ayi Solomon, Bilal crafts a musical dialogue that is at once ancient and modern. Their sound is a vibrant tapestry of intricate oud melodies, deep flowing basslines, and warm, syncopated rhythms — rooted in heritage but strikingly contemporary.

A pivotal chapter in Bilal’s artistic journey unfolded in Zanzibar, where he lived and worked for several years. Immersed in the island’s cultural richness, he absorbed the fusion of African, Arab, and Indian musical traditions, a blend that continues to shape his compositions and infuse them with a unique global sensibility.

Formed in 2011, the Bilal Irshed Trio has released two critically acclaimed albums — Compositions (2011) and Chronotope (2015) — and toured extensively across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, with performances in Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Palestine, Egypt, Denmark, and beyond.

In 2024, Bilal Irshed was awarded the prestigious Wilhelm Hansen Honorary Prize, a recognition of his exceptional artistry and his profound ability to build cultural bridges through music.