Osama Abdulrasol & Simon Leleux

Osama Abdulrasol is an Iraqi-Belgian composer, qanun player, producer, and visual artist, born in Babylon, Iraq. He is known for his musical approach in which he combines Arabic music with jazz, classical, Indian, Turkish, and experimental influences. He has performed internationally with renowned artists and orchestras, including Goran Bregović, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, the Brussels Jazz Orchestra, and the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra. In 2013, he received the Culture Prize of the Stad Gent for his artistic contribution. A series conceived by percussionist Simon Leleux, in dialogue with his guests. Osama Abdulrasol: Qanun Simon Leleux: Percussie Inkom: €15.00 Students: €12.00 Öz — a journey towards each other There are languages that you do not understand with words. Rhythms, melodies, gestures, and silences that carry within them a history, a culture, and a unique way of experiencing music. The Öz Sessions are a series of musical encounters conceived by percussionist Simon Leleux, who acts as the resident musician providing the common thread throughout the series. For each session, he invites an artist from the world and/or jazz scene, from Belgium or abroad, with their own musical universe and a unique musical language. Through the doholla and his own search for sound, Simon enters that universe: he listens to its codes, explores the different paths, and looks for potential common ground. Thus, two musicians meet on stage, each with their own background, influences, and intuitions. A composed foundation creates space for improvisation, in which both listen, answer, challenge, and surprise one another. It is a conversation. The music arises in the moment, somewhere between what was preconceived and what suddenly appears. Thus, each Öz Session becomes a creation in its own right, shaped by the personality of the guest and the dialogue that ensues. A genuine encounter never repeats itself in exactly the same way. The audience is invited to step into this intimacy: to witness the exchange between two worlds, to discover sometimes lesser-known musical traditions and languages, and to experience the moments when two sensibilities approach one another, confront each other, and ultimately create a new space together. The Het Turkse word öz, which can be translated as 'essence', reflects the intention of these encounters. Central to the project is the desire to promote diversity, dialogue, and intercultural exchange through improvisation, listening, and joint musical exploration. The concept originated in 2020 in collaboration with Crix Café in Saint-Gilles, Brussels. Under the name Crossroads, it then took the form of a monthly concert series for an entire season and also led to a collaboration with De Centrale in Ghent. At the invitation of Crix Café and following the success of this first edition, the Öz Sessions return for the 2026–2027 season in Brussels (Crix Café), Ghent (De Muzikantenhuis), Ronquières (Péniche Agami), and Lokeren (Studio Nanda). An invitation to listen differently. An invitation to travel towards each other.