Ghazi Faisal Al-Mulaifi is a bandleader, composer, ethnomusicologist, and professor of music at NYU Abu Dhabi. A Venice Biennale artist with a PhD in music from NYU, in 2017 he founded Boom.Diwan, an ensemble credited with introducing Khaleeji Jazz into the jazz lexicon. Inspired by Kuwait’s maritime heritage, Boom.Diwan bridges pearl diving traditions, Afro-Khaleeji rhythms, and jazz through improvisation and cultural exchange. Al-Mulaifi’s work continues to foster musical dialogue and revitalize Gulf traditions.

Photo by Soultrotter Films.