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London Arab Orchestra

The London Arab Orchestra stands as one of Europe’s most vibrant cultural ensembles, uniting nearly 200 musicians and choir members from across the Arab world and Europe. Renowned for its distinctive musical identity, the orchestra reimagines Arab music for the global stage by blending the beauty of traditional Middle Eastern melodies with the richness of contemporary European and English orchestral sounds. The result is a compelling sonic tapestry that transcends borders, celebrates heritage, and resonates with modern audiences.

The orchestra has performed on some of the United Kingdom’s most prestigious stages, including the Barbican, Royal Albert Hall, Theatre Royal Drury Lane, Copper Box Arena, and OVO Arena Wembley. Its signature sound—woven from oud, qanun, nay, and darbuka alongside classical Western instruments and a powerful choir—creates a striking musical dialogue between East and West, tradition and innovation.

In 2025, the London Arab Orchestra achieved a remarkable milestone through its collaboration with the iconic Gorillaz and artist Damon Albarn on their 25th anniversary tour. This partnership extended beyond the stage and into the studio, with the orchestra contributing to Gorillaz’s newest album—an artistic fusion that brought Arabic musical expression into one of the world’s most influential contemporary music projects.

Driven by the belief that music has the power to unite cultures, the London Arab Orchestra continues to champion new Arabic music, foster artistic exchange, and build musical bridges that connect audiences across the globe. With its bold creative vision and ever-growing presence, the orchestra stands as a dynamic ambassador of Arab musical heritage in the modern world.

London Arab Choir
London Arab Women Choir
London Arab Band
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Basel Saleh

Founder &

Composer, singer, and oud player, celebrated for his unique fusion of Arabic and Western classical music. He is the conductor of both the London Arab Orchestra and the Orchestra of Syrian Musicians. Saleh holds a Master's degree in Music Education and possesses extensive experience in leading orchestras and choirs. His compositions have been performed by prestigious ensembles such as the BBC Singers Choir, Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, and Truro Sinfonia.

Saleh has collaborated with renowned international artists, including Damon Albarn, Paul Weller, Martin Glover 'Youth', Tom Morris, Susheela Raman, and Sam Mills. His leadership of the Orchestra of Syrian Musicians has brought them to prominent stages at globally acclaimed festivals such as Glastonbury, WOMAD, Cambridge,
and the
Netherlands Amsterdam Festival.

Conductor

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