Biography

A Palestinian composer, multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, and educator

After graduating with honors from William Paterson University with a Jazz Piano Performance degree, Abboushi decided to pursue the buzuq as a means to explore Arab Music. As a performer this led him to collaborate with such notable musicians as Simon Shaheen, Omar Farouk Tekbilek, Suad Massi, Abeer Nehme, and Lotfi Bouchnak. As an award winning composer, his diverse background can be heard across multiple genres ranging from classical Arab, to Jazz, Electronic, film scoring, dance projects, radio, television, as well as commissioned soundscape design for art projects. Abboushi’s discography includes two albums with his band SHUSMO, five albums with Amir ElSaffar, and appearances on many other albums including three with Grammy-winner Dan Zanes.

His extensive experience in various styles of music has also made him an invaluable teacher, with a global profile including lectures at Columbia University, NYU, Juilliard, The Museum of the City of New York, Birzeit University, Agder University, and the Edward Said National Conservatory of Music.

He is currently based in Finland.