Palestinian Nay Master, Percussionist, and Composer, Faris Ishaq, charts unexplored territories with the Nay, an ancient Middle Eastern flute dating back to 5000 B.C. Rooted in his Palestinian heritage and passion for the Nay, Faris celebrates its cultural legacy in today’s musical landscape.
The word Kham, meaning “Raw” in Arabic, reflects Faris’s work in expanding the sonic possibilities of the Nay. Made from sugarcane, the Nay is minimal and raw in its design — no mouthpiece or built-in mechanics to amplify the sound — making its voice shaped entirely by the player’s breath and intention.
In the Kham Project, Faris is joined by exceptional artists who share similar aspirations with their instruments: Australian jazz harpist and vocalist Tara Minton, Nigerian-British percussionist and talking drummer Richard Olatunde, and Italian jazz vocalist Germana La Sorsa.
Together, they present Faris’s original compositions and arrangements, weaving Palestinian music with global jazz influences.
Born in 1993 in Bethlehem, Palestine, Faris taught himself to play the Nay, driven by curiosity to explore its sound in diverse musical contexts. Awarded a full scholarship to study Global Jazz Music at the prestigious Berklee College of Music, Faris has collaborated with Grammy Award-winning jazz artists such as John Patitucci on their single “Supplication” and has been featured as a recording artist on the new “Assassin’s Creed: Mirage 2023,” nominated for BAFTA Film Awards.
Faris is renowned for revitalizing traditional Palestinian shepherd playing, known as ‘Tashbib,’ while pioneering contemporary jazz. His rich and subtle use of modern folk influences with jazz highlights the Nay’s versatility. With an evocative and improvisational approach, Faris plays the Nay while simultaneously accompanying himself on leg-percussion, blending lyrical melodies, rhythmic beats, and captivating sound effects. With three albums to his credit, he has performed at prestigious festivals and venues, including Kings Place, and the Monterey and Panama Jazz Festivals.