Jalsat Nights Welcomes Oud Master Muaded Al Kaabi

The Cultural Foundation presents an intimate evening of traditional Arabic music with virtuoso performer Muaded Al Kaabi in October.

The Cultural Foundation, Abu Dhabi’s citadel of artistic discourse and performance, welcomes audiences to an evening steeped in the profound traditions of Arabic musical heritage. Jalsat Nights, the Foundation’s established series devoted to intimate encounters with distinguished performers, returns with Muaded Al Kaabi, one of the region’s most accomplished oud players. The event represents a significant opportunity to experience live classical Arabic music in one of the capital’s most respected cultural venues, where the atmosphere combines scholarly appreciation with genuine accessibility to the art form.

Jalsat Nights has established itself as a vital platform for the presentation of Arabic music in its most refined and unadorned form. The series eschews the grandiose in favour of proximity and attentiveness, creating an environment where the nuances of melody, technique and emotional expression can unfold without theatrical distraction. This approach honours the traditional salon concept from which the jalsat, or gathering, takes its name. Such evenings have historically served as spaces where musicians, scholars and connoisseurs engage with classical forms in settings that prioritise artistic authenticity and intellectual exchange.

Muaded Al Kaabi represents a distinguished lineage within contemporary Arabic musical practice. The oud, that ancient stringed instrument central to Arabic classical music since medieval times, demands of its master player not merely technical virtuosity but profound cultural knowledge and interpretative sensitivity. Al Kaabi’s reputation within Gulf musical circles reflects years of dedicated study and performance, contributing to the ongoing vitality of oud traditions that remain central to the region’s cultural identity. His selection for this platform affirms the Cultural Foundation’s commitment to presenting artists of genuine significance and accomplishment.

Understanding the Jalsat Nights Series

The Jalsat Nights initiative represents a curatorial commitment to presenting classical and traditional Arabic music within an intimate framework. Unlike concert hall presentations that prioritise scale and spectacle, these evenings privilege the listener’s ability to perceive the subtleties of musical expression. The jalsat model draws upon centuries of Arabic musical tradition, wherein gatherings in private settings allowed for extended musical performance and discourse. By reviving this model within a public cultural institution, the Foundation creates space for audiences to engage with classical Arabic music on its own terms, without the mediation of arrangements or accompanying entertainment.

The Oud and Its Cultural Significance

The oud occupies a position of profound importance within Arabic musical culture. Archaeological and historical evidence traces the instrument back over a thousand years, and it features centrally in classical Arabic music traditions that developed across the Levant, Egypt, Iraq and the Gulf. The instrument’s distinctive sound, characterised by its warm, resonant tones and capacity for subtle microtonal inflection, makes it uniquely suited to the expressive demands of maqam, the foundational melodic system of Arabic classical music. Mastery of the oud requires not only instrumental skill but also comprehensive understanding of maqam theory, rhythmic structures and the interpretative traditions that have evolved across generations.

The Cultural Foundation as Venue

Located in the heart of Abu Dhabi, the Cultural Foundation functions as the emirate’s principal institution for cultural programming, discourse and artistic presentation. The venue hosts exhibitions, performances, lectures and educational initiatives that together constitute a comprehensive engagement with both classical heritage and contemporary artistic practice. Its architecture and acoustic properties have been specifically designed to accommodate both large scale events and intimate performances. The Foundation’s programming reflects Abu Dhabi’s commitment to positioning itself as a centre for serious artistic and intellectual engagement, rather than mere entertainment consumption.

When and Where

Jalsat Nights at Cultural Foundation featuring Muaded Al Kaabi takes place on Sunday, 4 October 2026, from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM. The event is held at the Cultural Foundation in Abu Dhabi. Admission is free of charge, making this an exceptional opportunity for audiences at all levels of familiarity with classical Arabic music to experience a masterful performer in a setting designed to enhance musical appreciation.

Tickets and Admission

Entry to this event is entirely free. Tickets are available to book online, allowing prospective attendees to secure their place in advance. The absence of admission charges reflects the Cultural Foundation’s philosophy that access to high quality cultural programming should not be restricted by economic barriers. Audiences are encouraged to arrive with sufficient time to settle into the venue before the performance commences at 7:30 PM.

Why This Event Matters for Abu Dhabi

The presentation of classical Arabic music by accomplished performers such as Muaded Al Kaabi affirms Abu Dhabi’s identity as a centre for cultural excellence and artistic seriousness. At a moment when global attention frequently focuses upon Abu Dhabi’s architectural innovation and economic dynamism, events such as Jalsat Nights ground the emirate’s cultural narrative in the profound artistic traditions of the Arab world. They signal that cultural sophistication encompasses not only contemporary creative practice but also deep engagement with heritage and classical forms. For residents and visitors alike, such programming offers access to authentic artistic expression and the opportunity to participate in the continuing evolution of traditions that remain vital and living rather than merely historical.

This evening promises to be a moment of genuine artistic encounter. The combination of an accomplished performer, an intimate setting and free public access creates conditions for authentic engagement with one of the world’s great musical traditions. Those seeking a substantive engagement with Arabic musical culture will find in Jalsat Nights an experience of genuine cultural significance.