No matter where he is, Munich, Germany-based guitarist, producer, and composer Abdallah Harati always brings his beloved birthplace of Brazil with him. His transporting and dazzling musicality welcome listeners from around the world deep into the soul of Brazil. It’s a cultural connection that harkens back to his childhood. The São Paulo, Brazil-born artist recalls: “I remember hearing my grandfather playing guitar behind my grandmother’s singing, and just feeling their joy. At the time, I was studying classical music and it just didn’t bring me any happiness,” Abdallah recalls. “I wanted that feeling my grandpa had of playing music that really resonated.” He continues: “I had a brief rebellion playing rock n’ roll—one year I even won a festival—but a voice inside me urged me to wake up and bring Brazilian music to the world.” Abdallah plays the sweetly sonorous nylon string guitar, and he cites as influences Baden Powell, Pixinguinha, Raphael Rabello, and Brazilian martial art Capoeira. He has synthesized a singular sensibility through fusing the traditions of choro, samba, Afro-Brazilian, capoeira, Brazilian jazz, and American jazz. Abdallah’s repertoire consists of a mix of original compositions, and Brazilian traditionals and Brazilian jazz standards. Listen here: This is Abdallah Harati