Mohammad Jamal (singer)

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Mohammad Jamal
مُحمَّد جمال
Born
Jamaluddin Tiffaha

(1934-05-24)24 May 1934
Died26 May 2023(2023-05-26) (aged 89)
Other namesMohamed Jamal
Mohammed Jamal

Mohammad Jamal (Arabic: مُحمَّد جمال; 24 May 1934 – 26 May 2023), stage name of Jamaluddin Tiffaha (Arabic: جمال الدين مُحمَّد تُفَّاحة), was a Lebanese singer, composer and actor.

Life and career[edit]

Born in Tripoli, Lebanon, to a Greek mother and to a music teacher who was of Palestinian origin,[1] owned a shop selling and repairing musical instruments, Jamal was trained in singing since childhood.[2][3] Between 1949 and 1951 he moved in Iraq with his family, and there he was introduced to the Iraqi maqam style.[2][3] After failing to graduate in electrical engineering, in 1954 he started his professional musical career, working for Radio Lebanon and recording two songs he composed, "Alouli Ahl el-Hawa" and "Asmar Ya Shaghel Albi".[2] While performing at Casino Ajram, he was noted by film director Helmy Rafla, and made his acting debut in the 1956 Egyptian film El-Armala el-Taroub, in which he also performed two songs.[2]

In 1957, Jamal married the singer Taroub [ar], and formed with her a successful musical duo, singing in both Lebanese and Egyptian accents.[2][3] Best known for the song "Oul Kaman", their professional partnership was interrupted by their 1964 divorce.[2][3] In the following years Jamal got several hits, notably "Ah Ya Emm Hamada", a highly successful cover in Arabic of "Darla dirladada" in which he also served as producer, and continued to appear in local musical films.[2] He also collaborated with Rahbani brothers, appearing in several of their musicals and TV-shows.[2]

Following the Lebanese Civil War, Jamal decided to move from Lebanon and in 1981 he settled in Los Angeles.[2][3] Following the 1985 release of the album Allimni el-Hobb he basically retired from showbusiness.[2] He died on 26 May 2023, at the age of 89.[2][4][5]

References[edit]

  1. ^ https://www.discogs.com/artist/3447385-%D9%85%D8%AD%D9%85%D8%AF-%D8%AC%D9%85%D8%A7%D9%84#:~:text=Muhammed%20Jamal%20(born%201934%20in,a%20restaurant%20in%20Los%20Angeles.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Alaa Aldin, Shadi (31 May 2023). "How the songs of Mohammad Jamal became the timeless anthems of our youth". The Majalla. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e Fares, Joakim (1 June 2023). "وفاة الفنان اللبناني محمد جمال: مسيرة موسيقية قاطعتها الحرب الأهلية". The New Arab (in Arabic). Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  4. ^ "In America the death of the Lebanese singer Muhammad Jamal". The Eastern Herald. 26 May 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.
  5. ^ "في أميركا.. وفاة المطرب اللبناني محمد جمال". Sky News Arabia (in Arabic). 26 May 2023. Retrieved 23 June 2023.

External links[edit]