6th June, 2007 - Ghada Shbeir an academic, musicologist and performer won the Middle East and North Africa category in the 6th year of the annual celebration, which is publicised across the globe through the BBC World Service.

Ms Shbeir held a largely non Arabic-speaking audience in a state of enchantment with her remarkable vocal skills during a 30-minute set at the Barbican Hall in London. But a major surprise was still to come as it was announced that Ms Shbeir had also won a second honour.

Crucially, the Audience Award is voted for by listeners and visitors to the BBC website, and indicates widespread public support and appreciation of the artist's work.

Ceremony presenters Verity Sharp, of BBC Radio Three, and Kwame Kwei-Armah, a British actor and writer, revealed that Ms Shbeir had won the Audience Award by a "clear margin".

The singer received her trophies from pop star Midge Ure, who with Bob Geldof founded the UK's famous Band Aid and Live Aid famine relief efforts for Ethiopia in 1984.

He said of Ms Shbeir's performance: "It was phenomenal. I am extremely pleased to be here. As an exponent of electronic music in the early 1980s it is superb to be surrounded by instruments you don't have to plug in."

He added: "Keeping music pure is incredibly important. Being able to do that without having to succumb to put a new groove and hip-hop beats behind it is quite special."

Comments on the BBC Radio Three website indicate the support she has received world-wide.

"Absolutely enchanting," wrote Jad from Montreal, "Her voice is the sixth sense" said Rawad from Lebanon, "What a depth of feeling," commented David from Britain, and Alain from Brazil paid tribute to her "magic touch".

It is all the more remarkable that Ms Shbeir has won the two honours with her debut album, Al Muwashahat, which was released just one year ago.

The style of Arabic music dates from the beginning of the 11th century in what is now Andalusia.

While it enjoyed a revival in the early 20th century, recent popular music trends had threatened to eclipse it completely, and some believed Al Muwashahat was facing extinction.

Ms Shbeir began detailed research into the genre because she was determined this important inheritance should not be lost.

She explained: "While working on it all my efforts were concentrated on doing it right and doing it in the best possible way, without second guessing what the commercial return would be or how people would receive it.

"I was working out of fashion by a very scientific method. I did not try to introduce too many instruments or electronic instruments to make it more popular, but tried to make it appealing using my voice and singing technique."

Ms Shbeir's award ceremony performance, heard by a 2,000 capacity crowd in the Barbican and broadcast live on the BBC, was a moving and startling expression of her art.

The vast hall was effortlessly dominated by her soaring vocal technique, leaving the audience gripped by the emotion and artistry of Al Muwashahat.

It was one of the greatest highlights in a very special night in the musical calendar.

-Ends-

If further information is required, please contact:
Mirna Al Qassim
TBWA/Raad Middle East
Phone: 0097142226667 ext.406
E-mail: mirna.alqassim@tbwaraad.com

© Press Release 2007