Elizabeth Ayoub (Venezuela / Lebanon)

Elizabeth Ayoub grew up in Venezuela as the youngest daughter of Lebanese immigrants, with musical influences ranging from Lebanese singer Fairuz to Simon & Garfunkel. A singer, songwriter, oud, and guitar player fluent in Arabic, Spanish, French, and English, she recorded her debut album Prelude (2006) for Sony BMG with an ensemble of Latin and Arab musicians including Cuban bassist Jose Armando Gola. Her second album, Oceanos y Lunas (2010), earned her a Latin Grammy nomination for Best New Artist. It was produced by Javier Limón, whose credits include Buika and Bebo & Cigala’s Lágrimas Negras, and was recorded between Madrid and Beirut.

Featured Song:

“Baeid” (Far Away) blends Arabic and Spanish lyrics over a warm, acoustic backdrop of guitar and oud, reflecting the two musical worlds Ayoub inhabits. The song is from Oceanos y Lunas and captures the ache of longing across distance. “Far away is my dream, far away / Far away is my love, far away / Everyone tells me not to look so far / When everything is in my hands / My thoughts have gone with the wind / And my song carries a song from the promised land / Of a love that will never fade.”

Artist Website

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