Nizar Rohana is an acclaimed Palestinian ud player, distinguished for combining virtuosity within fresh contemporary compositions while maintaining the ud’s idiomatic language. His recent critically acclaimed solo album Safa (Purity), released in 2024, solidified his position as one of the leading voices in the ud world.
He tours internationally with various projects, including solo performances, a trio with bassist Tony Overwater and percussionist Ruven Ruppik, and a duo with Iranian oud master Yasamin Shahhossieni. Rohana’s extensive experience spans solo and ensemble work, covering modal, improvisational, experimental, and world music. His collaborations include Sinfonietta Amsterdam, Atlas Ensemble, NDR Bigband, Eric Vloeimans, Mátyás Szandai, Jasser Haj Youssef, Youssef Hbeish, Nai Bargouthi, and Sanaa Moussa.
Since his move to the Netherlands in 2013, Rohana has developed into an authority of Arabic music with connection to various conservatories and universities. Since 2024, he has been teaching Arabic Music at the University of Amsterdam.
In 2000, Rohana graduated from the Rubin Academy in Jerusalem with a bachelor of ud performance, and in 2004, he completed a Master’s degree specializing in the songs of Umm Kulthum at the Hebrew University. His passion for innovation led him to study composition with the renowned Palestinian composer Bishara Khell in 2012. Rohana continued his academic pursuits by earning a PhD in practice-led research from the DocArtes program at Leiden University in 2021. His thesis showcased new compositions for solo ud, influenced by the improvisational styles of Egyptian music legends Muhammad al-Qasabji and Riyad al-Sunbati.