NAEIF RAFEH was born in Jeremana, Syria - a village about ten minutes south of Damascus in 1971. He attended the High Institute for Music and Ballet in Damascus, where he received a Bachelor's degree in Music - studying both Western and Arab music - in 1996.

While attending the institute, he was a member of the Syrian National Symphony - as well as other Middle Eastern orchestras, playing the French Horn in the orchestra, and the Nay in the Arab Ensemble. He played in numerous festivals around the Middle East and Europe, and taught at several academic locations throughout Syria. The Syrian Symphony toured the US, and performed to an enthusiastic Los Angeles audience with their American debut in 1998. At this time, Naeif decided to relocate to the US - arriving in Chicago on the 4th of July in 1999.

Naeif is an active performer in Chicago and is considered one of the most promising Nay players in the Middle East. Naeif is the director of the al Sham ensemble, based in Chicago, IL, playing classical Arab music. al Sham is another word for the city of Damascus, Syria. To book al Sham, please email. He is available for private Nay lessons, ensemble or solo performances, recordings and parties.

WHAT'S A NAY?
Naeif plays the Nay, also known as the Egyptian Flute. It's a length of bamboo, approximately 3 feet long. Air is blown across the top edge, and 7 holes drilled in the bamboo produce a tone when covered or uncovered by fingers. The Nay is included in Arab music, popular or classical, with a sound that can be bright and lively or dark and mysterious. The Nay is a difficult instrument to play well, and also one of the earlist musical instruments known to man.