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BIOGRAPHY

Guitarist, producer, composer, and teacher based in the Washington, DC metro area

Wadih Ettabbakh was born in Rabat, Morocco, where he began playing guitar at the age of thirteen.  After spending several years exploring folk and rock music, he began to gain an interest in jazz, bossa nova, and eventually flamenco.  Wadih played professionally in Agadir (Morocco) with his brother, Anouar Ettabbakh, until he moved to Europe in 2005 in order to pursue his love of Spanish guitar.

Following his arrival in Spain, Wadih lived primarily in Granada, Andalusia, and studied flamenco in the Sacromonte region, which is known for its flamenco heritage.  He collaborated with artists such as Emilio Maya, Rubem Dantas, and Manolete, and performed in establishments such as Tablao Los Tarantos and Sala de Conciertos La Chumbera. 

In 2010, Wadih released his first CD, entitled Un Toque Diferente, which combined diverse musical styles over a variety of flamenco palos.  In this recording as well as in live performances, Wadih draws from his heritage and from his diverse musical background to produce a unique style that is simultaneously rooted in tradition and highly innovative.  Technically proficient as a traditional flamenco player, he moves his art to new levels by infusing his playing with hints of jazz, bossa nova, Arab classical, rock, and blues.

Wadih has also lived and performed in Madrid, Spain; El Jadida, Morocco; Seoul, Korea; and Chennai, India, where he continued to expand his knowledge of flamenco and experience a wide variety of styles and techniques.  

In 2013, Wadih moved to the United States, where he performed nightly at a variety of local establishments and collaborated with artists in the Washington, D.C. area on cultural events and projects.  His performances include appearances at the Music Center at Strathmore, Harmony Hall, Taberna del Alabardero, and Landsdowne Resort, among others.  

Wadih currently resides in the Washington, DC metro area, where he teaches guitar and performs regularly.

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