Khyam Allami

Khyam Allami is an ‘ūd (or oud) player and composer. Born to Iraqi parents in Damascus, Syria and raised in London from the age of nine, Allami started learning violin in Damascus. he went on to play rock drums in London, before taking two music degrees from the School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London). He took up the oud in 2004. In 2010 Khyam was the first recipient of the BBC Radio 3 World Routes Academy mentorship programme, which saw him perform at WOMAD and the BBC Proms.