Sudanese jazz is a unique musical genre that started as a result of the interaction between different cultural elements. The genre began in the 1920s during the dual colonization of Sudan by the British and Egypt and is a fusion of the Sudanese traditional music called the Haqeeba music and Western jazz music. The Haqeeba is a vocal music with a lead singer leading the lyrics, backed up by a choir with percussion from the tar (Frame drum) which serves as the base of the rhythmic structure prominent in most Sudanese jazz music. This fusion created a distinct sound to show the indispensable quality of Sudan’s dynamic culture. Because of the colonization by the British, the Sudanese came in constant contact with Western music culture which laid the foundation for the fusion and development of Sudanese jazz.

Migration played a crucial part in the spread and development of Sudanese jazz, because people traveled to regions with better economic opportunities in search of a better future, bearing their musical traditions, this led to more experiments by different artists on different styles leading to the development of rhythms in Sudanese jazz with various time signatures and rhythmic structures.

There are several traditional and Western instruments being used in this genre, they are; The Oud (Short-necked, pear-shaped, bent tip, 11 stringed instrument), Ney (flute), Frame drum and sometimes the Tambourine. The Western instruments used are Saxophone, trumpet, Guitar, Keyboard.

The elements that characterize Sudanese jazz are a fusion from different musical traditions making it a standout genre. Starting from the melismatic ornamentation in the instruments and vocal techniques showcasing the Arabian influence, to the African call and response pattern to the adoption of the Western jazz harmony and chord progressions, the beauty of this genre remains.

The Sudanese Jazz is said to bear a keen resemblance to the Ethio Jazz from Ethiopia. A closer attention to the two genres reveals their distinction. The Sudanese Jazz is a unique blend of traditional Sudanese music with rock n roll, and funk. Meanwhile, the Ethio Jazz is a fusion of traditional Ethiopian music with pure jazz.

A notable artist that played a crucial role in the growth of this genre is Sharhabil Ahmed who is recognized for his unique guitar, oud playing, and singing style as well as his compositions and is also called “The King of Sudanese Jazz Music'' because he incorporated brass instruments and guitar into his composition, fusing the traditional haqeeba with rock and roll rhythms and styles. Other notable artists are Ali Nur Elgalil, Farghali Rahman, Kamal Hussain, Mahaddi Ali, and Hassan Sirougy, who helped populate this genre and inspired a lot of new-generation artists. Another standout recognition is Zakia Abul Gassim Abu Bakr, Sharhabil's wife, who contributed immensely to his music by playing the Oud instrument and later went on to play the guitar, putting herself out there as the first Sudanese woman to play an instrument live on stage.

Notably, the imposition of the Sharia law in early 1980 had a significant influence on the music landscape of not just Sudanese jazz alone but the whole musical scene of Sudan both in the production and live performances, this led to the change in lyrical contents which may be deemed not-Islamic, performance venues and the overall cultural context in which jazz and music were experienced in Sudan. However, several musicians continue to produce music both at home and abroad, keeping the Sudanese musical soul alive.

A picture of Sudanese Jazz musician playing a guitar while sitting down.

What about the Sudanese Jazz

A picture of Sudanese Jazz musician playing a guitar while sitting down.

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