Inspired by the anthems of the great film composers and the natural beauty of his homeland, Jordanian American composer and pianist, ZADE (pronounced ZADE as in “made”) creates epic cinematic music that unites and inspires people of all cultures. While the Washington Post called ZADE a "gorgeous pianist/composer/ hunk," The Washington Times recognized ZADE as "Jordan’s leading Cultural Ambassador (who) dedicates his music to building bridges of peace and tolerance."
Described as a “piano prodigy” by People, ZADE writes from the heart and plays with a passion and purpose beyond his 34 years. No stranger to American audiences, ZADE’s albums have spent months on the U.S. Billboard charts – beginning in 2003 with his self-titled debut album, ZADE, and culminating most recently with his first Top 10 and Top 20 chart positions. The CD for ZADE’s latest epic project: One Night in Jordan debuted on Billboard at #2 on the New Age Chart, #5 on the Classical Crossover Chart, and #11 on the Overall Classical Chart. ZADE’s accompanying DVD also debuted on Billboard’s Top DVD/Music Video Charts at #18. ZADE has toured extensively throughout the U.S and other parts of the world. His wild popularity in Jordan has helped his albums consistently reach No. 1 on the Jordanian album charts. ZADE has been officially endorsed by YAMAHA pianos thus joining the very select artist roaster of YAMAHA artists, playing and representing the brand's piano exclusively where ever he plays.
This spectacular concert event features ZADE performing his soaring compositions with the world renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of London, the prestigious London Voices Choir, and an all-star rock band from Los Angeles. Guest musicians include virtuoso violinists Karen Briggs ( Soul II Soul, Wynton Marsalis) and Grammy winner Charlie Bisharat (Elton John, Black-Eyed Peas), Ramon Stagnaro on Spanish guitar (Josh Groban, Shakira), and world music woodwind maestro Pedro Eustache (Paul McCartney and Don Henley) among many other outstanding and multi-talented artists.
“ZADE – One Night in Jordan: A Concert For Peace is a message of peace from our Jordanian family to the world sent from the heart of our ancient land,” explains ZADE who adds, “It represents our commitment and yearning for a final reconciliation in the Middle East and is dedicated to His Majesty the late King Hussein of Jordan who worked his entire life to make peace in the Middle East.”
Music featured on ZADE – One Night in Jordan: A Concert For Peace includes original compositions that ZADE composed and produced ranging from his signature epic “Kingdom of Peace,” to the Latin inspired “Tango,” the energetic “Amman,” and the reflective “Santiago’s Dream,” inspired by the book “The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho. This monumental concert event is presented to the world under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein.
“When I close my eyes and start playing the piano,” ZADE explains, “I immediately travel back to the beautiful rolling hills and winding narrow roads that journey down to the Jordan River and then up to Jerusalem. A certain spirituality and biblical sacredness is cast over this area. When I was a boy living in Jordan, that place was my earliest inspiration. Today it is the image of what peace represents to me, and is part of everything I do.”
America’s love affair with the Jordanian composer began in the wake of September 11th when ZADE began a humble grassroots effort to create a better understanding of his culture in the West. Feeling that “terrorists have hijacked my religion,” he toured non-stop from 2001 until 2005, performing an average of 200 nights a year at churches, synagogues, schools, community centers and homes and using his music to launch an ongoing dialogue to combat world polarization. His uplifting performances and the positive discussions they stimulated progressed to larger venues with highlights including performances before Nelson Mandela, the Dalai Lama, and former First Lady Mrs. Laura Bush. Other distinctive appearances included "Exploring Jordan" held at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, a performance at the UNESCO’s Head Quarters in Paris by invitation from Her Majesty Queen Rania, and a performance at the Library of Congress in celebration of Jordan’s National Day.
In May 2006, ZADE expanded upon his previous tours and launched a multi-faceted project in Washington, DC under the patronage of Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, in partnership with Berklee College of Music, and Seeds of Peace. Titled "Roads to You: Celebration of One World" ZADE enlisted 35 musicians from 18 nations, in a project that provided an evening of music while showcasing participants from war-torn regions working together in an atmosphere of trust. The musicians also participated in cultural workshops, elevating the role of music maker to peace-maker and cultural ambassador.
“It was a simple step towards breaking down barriers,” ZADE explains. “The musicians would share photos and talk with schools and community groups about their countries, customs, music, geography, sports, pets and even their favorite food. People began to realize how much we have in common. We saw misconceptions dissolve before our eyes.”
As Her Majesty Queen Noor recalled: “In those early years he performed in Jordan and later abroad, he used those musical opportunities to promote cross-cultural understanding. The tour is a creative step towards building bridges of tolerance and understanding. Zade’s enthusiasm, which I first experienced almost 10 years ago in his early days at the Noor Al Hussein Foundation’s National Music Conservatory in Jordan, is as unbridled as ever.”
Today, ZADE’s Road to Your Tour continues with a variety of ensembles touring as emissaries of peace. Over 300 public performances and workshops have been presented across the United States by more than 70 musicians from 30 different countries.
As the Los Angeles Times points out, “For ZADE, making music and advocating world peace go hand in hand”. Consequently, his dedication to using music as a bridge to bring people together has garnered tremendous support from Jordan’s Royal family. Their Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania invited ZADE to join them on an official state visit to the United Kingdom to perform before Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and the British royal family in London. Her Majesty Queen Noor, founder of the National Music Conservatory in Amman where as a teenager ZADE studied piano and composition, referenced him as a “Jordanian success story” in her New York Times best selling book “Leap of Faith”. Her Royal Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, patron of ZADE – One Night in Jordan: A Concert for Peace has been a source of inspiration to ZADE not only for her work as a United Nations Messenger of Peace, but also as the first Arab woman to compete in equestrian events at the Olympic, world and continental championship level.
Over the past several years, ZADE has released three studio albums, entitled Beautiful World, inspired by his Middle Eastern heritage; Roads to You, which features Arabic and Latin influences performed by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir; and his debut self-titled CD, released in 2003. The album featured a host of guest musicians from the Middle East and the United States.
Born in Amman, Jordan to an architect father and mother who enjoys painting and music, ZADE was raised in a culture that promoted the values of compassion and tolerance. He began composing music for piano and orchestra at age 16, and at 19 saw his musical compositions come to life during his first public concert debut accompanied by the National Music Conservatory Symphony Orchestra at the ancient Citadel and site of the Temple of Hercules in Amman. Afterwards, he moved to America to continue his music studies at Santa Clara University and later at the world-renowned Berklee College of Music where he majored in music composition as well as music business and management.
In his continued pursuit of cross-cultural understanding, ZADE launched "The ZADE Foundation for International Peace and Understanding." The non profit organization is aimed at helping young musicians share with the world a deeper understanding of their culture by offering them a unique opportunity to expand their roles from musicians to proactive peace builders and future community leaders. Surmised ZADE, “Whether working with students from war torn regions in the Middle East, or from America and Europe, the findings are always the same: we all share the same dream of living in peace, providing a safe environment built on justice and mutual respect where our children can grow together as members of one human family.”
Zade resides in the United States and Jordan.