You may not have seen him live, but you've definitely heard him on television, FM and
even on your favourite Arab stars singer's album. MBC TV is still using his music during
Ramadan from the last 5 years.
Khalil Ghadri is a Syrian composer and musician from Ariha who graduated from the
University of Syrian Conservatory with a degree in music 2001. He then moved to UAE and
has been working as a music composer and qanun player ever since.
Khalil is now one of the most accomplished arabic qanun players in the Middle East. His
style mixes traditional Arabic elements with western tinges to give birth to music that is
completely new to the instrument.
He has been composing music and either plays as a solo artist or with his Khalil Ghadri
Acoustic Fusion Band as well as performing with large orchestras at festivals, public and
private events in the Middle East and GCC and Asia.
Khalil Ghadri started his professional career in 1994 and has accompanied several Arab
pop stars such as Fayeoz, Asala, Kazem Al Saher, Wadee AlSafi, Ragheb Alama, Saber
Rebai, Hamam Khairy, Wael Jassar etc.
His outstanding unique style of music has landed him being the soundtrack for many films
and TV shows, especially with the Arab Syrian composer Taher Mameli. In 2007 Khalil
decided to start performing as a soloist with his bands.
Khalil won several awards as a musical composer and Qanun player including the third
place for the Arabic improvisation erected at the Arab Music festival and conference
Cairo (7th session 1998).
Khalil Ghadri's now owner and the director of KG Production & Events FZ LLC a talents
booking agency based in Dubai which they support the talents as a professional business
manager at the Arabic Gulf and Asia.
Khalil's most important presences in 2014:
• Played & Record the Qanun Solo for the largest fireworks in Dubai for New Year's Eve
2014, which entered the Guinness Janice indices.
• Played solo in the closing ceremony of the Dubai World Cup "Horse race" in the
• presence of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime
Minister and Ruler of Dubai.
• Playing solo at the Sheikh Zayed Book Awards 2014, in the presence of H.H General
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy
Supreme Commander of UAE Armed Forces and a host of intellectuals.
• Khalil Ghadri Acoustic Fusion Band at Indian Premier League opening ceremony 2014
Abu Dhabi in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, minister of
higher education.
• Playing solo at the Manchester City Club team reception in the presence of H.H. Sheikh
Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs and
owner of the Manchester City Club.
www.khalilghadri.com