Layale Chaker

Blending classical contemporary music, jazz, Arabic traditions and improvisation, Layale Chaker creates a sound that is as intricate as it is mesmerizing. Described by NPR as “beguiling” with “gorgeous, wine-dark swirls,” the Lebanese composer and violinist has earned global acclaim for her genre-defying artistry.

A Jerome Hill Fellow and Opera America Discovery Award recipient, Chaker continues to push musical boundaries. From performing alongside Kinan Azmeh with the New York Philharmonic to the highly anticipated premiere of her debut opera “Ruinous Gods” at the Spoleto Festival, her work is both groundbreaking and deeply evocative.

Whether leading her chamber jazz quintet Sarafand—whose debut album Inner Rhyme ranked #2 on NPR’s Best Releases of 2019—or crafting innovative new compositions, Chaker offers a musical experience that is rich, immersive and unforgettable.