Naseem Alatrash is a Grammy-nominated Palestinian cellist and composer.   

His performances include a mix of improvisation and traditional melodies, with a focus on traditional Arabic music and influences from jazz and contemporary style.  

He has performed at international jazz festivals and venues such as the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, the Royal Opera of Oman, Monterey Jazz Festival, Newport Jazz Festival, and many others.  

He was awarded a first prize fellowship in composition from the Mass Cultural Council in 2021 and has twice won first prize from The National Music Competition of Palestine.   

In addition to his solo career, Alatrash performs with the Turtle Island Quartet, Terence Blanchard, Global Messengers ensemble with pianist Danilo Pérez, and with Amir ElSaffar’s Rivers of Sound ensemble.  
He is an assistant professor of Cello and Ensembles at the Berklee College of music, the director of the Arab Music Ensemble at Tufts University and the Director of the Folk Traditions ensemble at Longy School of music.   

His September 7th performance at our gala concert in Drogheda’s Augustinian Church will be Naseem’s only date on his Irish debut.
He will then travel to the Tyrone Guthrie artists’ retreat in Annaghmakerrig, Co Monaghan, to begin exploratory work on a new collaborative composition with Irish cellist and composer Neil Martin, for the Séan Corcoran Series.