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MUSIC
HUFFINGTON
11.10.13
Dog Ears: Born in November
In which we spotlight music from a diversity of genres and
decades, lending an insider’s ear to what deserves to be heard.
BY THE EVERLASTING PHIL RAMONE AND DANIELLE EVIN
ASMAHAN
FRANCY BOLAND
JOSÉ ITURBI
Asmahan, also known as Amal Al Atrash,
was born in 1918, the only daughter
among four children. She lived in Lebanon until she was 2, then moved on to
Demergi, Turkey, where her father served
as governor. By the age of 6, the young
aristocrat lost her father and the family
moved to Egypt; fortune was lost and
hardships endured. To make ends meet,
her mother sang at private social functions. Her brother became the renowned
vocalist Farid El Atrache. Raised on European music, she incorporated Arabic traditions and created her own sound. After
Farid hit it big on Egypt’s national radio,
Amal was discovered by Mouhammad Al
Qasabji, who crowned her Asmahan. Asmahan’s untimely death came in 1944
as a result of a car accident. Discover
Asmahan with “Ya Dirati Idi Fi Idek,” from
Archives Des Années 1942/1944.
Bebop composer/arranger and pian