An internationally acclaimed musician and one of the foremost qanun players of his generation, Ali Paris is known for his exceptional mastery and innovative approach to the instrument. Renowned for his unique blend of Middle Eastern and Western musical styles, Ali has captured the attention of audiences worldwide. He has been described as an “unrivaled unique artist” by the legendary Quincy Jones and “one of the most eclectic and diverse artists” by Grammy-winning artist Paul Simon, who attended many of Ali’s concerts at the Lincoln Center in New York.

Born in Morocco, Ali began his music education at five, studying Arabic traditional music with master Simon Shaheen. By age nine, he was already performing in major concert halls, and by eleven, he had embarked on his first international European tour. Since then, Ali has received numerous international accolades, including the prestigious Marcel Khalife Best Artist of the Year award for four consecutive years (2007-2010). He has expanded his musical career exponentially, earning a degree from Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music on full scholarship and collaborating with a long list of world-renowned artists, including the late Paco De Lucia, Buika, Alicia Keys, Bobby McFerrin, and Javier Limon.

Ali has performed at many prestigious venues, including the White House, the Newport and Montreux jazz festivals, and the Royal Palace in Jordan, where he played a solo performance for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Queen Rania of Jordan. He has also appeared as a soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Michigan Philharmonic and was featured in the renowned Grammy-winning Spanish documentary Entre2aguas, as well as the Hollywood movie Noah.

Ali’s performances are marked by his exploration of fertile ground between Eastern and Western cultures and music genres. He has collaborated with numerous world-renowned artists to benefit humanitarian causes such as Doctors Without Borders, Save a Child’s Heart, and Keep A Child Alive, and his performances with Alejandro Sanz have funded numerous humanitarian projects in Africa and the Middle East.

Ali was featured in the CWM series Music on the Move at Mingei International Museum in June of 2023. He enjoys visiting our World Music in the Schools partners to provide engaging workshops and assemblies, sharing Middle Eastern music, culture, and the Arab language with students around San Diego.

Today, Ali tours extensively in the US, Europe, and the Middle East, captivating audiences with his musicianship and commitment to bridging the divide between cultures and music genres.