“Nassam Alaynal Hawa” by Jacques Kojian

When most Americans think of Lebanon they are reminded of wonderful people from a brilliant ancient culture with fantastic food, or they harken back to the strained relations between our governments. Most Americans wouldn’t think of Jazz musicians or anything remotely funky.

Jacques Kojian was born in Lebanon to a musical family. His father played the clarinet, his brother was a conductor, and his younger brother was a well-known violinist. After taking up the piano at a young age, Jacques found success away from war torn Lebanon performing and recording with several well-known Armenian singers such as Paul Baghdadlian, Karnig Sarkissian, Manuel Menengichian, and Adis Harmandian.

One of his most interesting recordings was from 1972 for EMI Parlophone. Oriental Mood was an early fusion record combining elements of Jazz and Classical, with mostly traditional Western Asian compositions.

“Nassam Alaynal Hawa” or ‘The Fragrant Air’ is an interesting take on the classic Rahbani brothers / Fairuz love song “Nassam Alayna El Hawa” or ‘The Breeze Blew Upon Us’. It is just as airy as the title suggests, while offering hints into various genres of music that only one so talented and well-traveled could do.