Visit Dawoud at www.myspace.com/renegadesufi  (The world is on myspace: and Dawoud is too!)

 Dawoud is planning a short tour of the Milwaukee / Chicago area schedueld for late May; and a tour in upstate New York is in the works for the summer. 

You will find two tracks that feature Dawoud's  work at http://www.myspace.com/celtislam. They're called "Irfan" and "Fakir". They were produced and mixed by Dawoud's friend Abdullah Hamza. Check them out!

Dawoud's appearance playing sitar in Sylvana Viene's "Beyond Baklava" was recently included in a promotional short narrated by Patricia Neal.
(http://utopianvision.co.uk/bollywood/videos/?v=jNvXg5Jw0c8)

Nascente recently released THE BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO BUDDHA LOUNGE, a compilation of various artists. This three CD set is part of the Buddha Bar compilations that established the world of multicultural grooves. One of the finest tracks on the complialtion is "Fakir" by Celt Islam Soundsystem. This track features Dawoud on sitar, who is credited as a co writer. For a review of the CD, go to http://www.mraentertainment.com/index.php?IID=8152&func=itemview&module=pncommerce

A new project is in the works. Dawoud will be composer and musical director for a feature length film, and involved in the accompanying novel to the film. Details as they develop!

Dawoud's short, and successful tour in the Milwauke area was a great success! Audiences enjoyed the unique experience of Dawoud's music and unique approach to the sitar. Another return tour is scheduled for May / June 2008, and will include dates in Chicago.

Work on Dawoud's next CD is coming along well. Basic tracks have been recorded for seveeral songs, sitar parts and other instruments are being worked out.

Dawoud also began his "Magnum Opus": a seven part suite based on the Night Journey and Miraj of the Prophet Muhammad (sas). In addition to Dawoud's sitar work, areas for improvostaion and composed parts for a variety of instruments will appear.

Dawoud also contributed sitar tracks to a recording by nasheed singer Khaleel Muhammad's new UK single "Blessed Mustapha".

Last November, Dawoud finished the soundtrack for a film by independent director Fareen Butt. He performed improvistations on sitar based on two ragas. Details for the release date to come.

Another project Dawoud was involved in was a soundtrack of an independent film called RAM (dir. Edwin Porres): a sci-fi short about a robot that dreams its human. Very "Philip K. Dick!" The music was a slight departure for Dawoud. He did not play sitar, but composed electronic music for the film.

Dawoud also finished the music he contributed to a film documentary on the life of Omar Khayyam.  The music included sitar improvisations on a Persian theme, and piano part Dawoud composed. The lyrics, Sung by director Majid Beenteha, were taken from a poem by Omar Khayyam. A remix will be presented for the film's CD soundtrack release. The film is scheduled for release next year.

Renegade Sufi was recently reviewed on "The Lounge": a TV show produced by Just Say Go Films Inc. To see it, go to http://www.justsaygofilms.com/movies/lounge_001.html

What they are saying - assorted press...

"What a wonderful show Dawoud so graciously performed last Saturday evening. He is an extremely talented and disciplined musician who stretches the ideas of what was once thought to be possible on the Sitar."

Salma - Souldish.com

"DAWOUD - Renegade Sufi (Mystic Jaz/self-produced) Featuring Dawoud on sitar, sitar synth, guitars, flute, raita, ting-sha, percussion, voice & assorted unearthly noises; Mordior Bamba on vocals; Tonya Ridgley on flute & vocals; Danny Zanker & Mark Hagan on basses and Ravish Momin on percussion. Local sitarist Dawoud has been coming down to DMG for many years and has even played here once. I hadn't heard of sitar synth before, but here it is. This is modern sitar music, not doing ragas and even uses some drum machine samples as percussion. The lovely chanting vocals singing Peace on Earth make this sound like it would be radio-friendly. I do like the instrumental tracks more than the vocal ones and the instrumental ones make up the majority of these pieces. On Burn the Idols, the flute and sitar play an enchanting melody with layers of echoes over a hypnotic, looped percussion groove. What I dig the most about this is the way Dawoud uses subtle layers of spacey, electronic samples that float around his central sitar playing, adding some mystery to what some might think they already anticipate will happen. Groovy mood music that is not too demanding but still is still enticing"

BLG. Dwontown Music Gallery

"Dawoud's sitar (sang) with rich rhythms."

Yusef Salaam. Amsterdam News, New York City.

"Dawoud and his sitar created a soothing atmosphere. The people meditated, absorbed in the creative mystic sounds. The audience enjoyed traveling musically with Dawoud & the New Culture in a pilgrimage state of spiritual inspiration"

Ali Rahman. New York Beacon.

"Dawoud's sitar was a revelation"

Benoir. World Beat Jazz Newsletter.

"A soulful ignition of jazz rhythms and blues infused with East Indian and African hypnotic sounds. A surefire hit for (those) who wish to gain a spiritual sense of inner calm. A must for eclectic music listeners"

Heather Covington. Disilgold Publications.

"Dawoud has a brand new album called "Renegade Sufi", a great atmospheric album that fuses mystic jazz influences to chill out atmospheres and oriental instruments, like his magical sitar."

Deadly Kristin

 "They intertiwne together and at the same time move seperatly. The music is so beautiful and makes the experience so relaxing and refreshing in the world on free improvised music"

Christina McLean.

"In a world where evil forces have effectively hijacked not only the public's peace of mind but the very thing we call "religion," it is truly heartening to find spirited artists like Dawoud who understand, experience, and live true religion through their art. The essence of all religion is spiritual connectivity with the Divine; who better than a contemporary Renegade Sufi to bring the classical mysticism of Islam to the modern world?"

Azhar Usman; Stand up comedian

"Dawoud has succeeded in bringing a group together with a rather improvisational rhythmical fundament (bass, some programmed rhythms or percussion) with a very individual sound. The style is partly with an often rather loose chill-out groove, a partly jazzy improvisation. There are improvisations with sitar and flute combined, or sometimes sitar and acoustic guitar on one track. There are talks with a spiritual or philosophical fusion spoken word element, (on Freedom it is as a more frustrated expression –here like a kind of dub hiphop fusion). One the nicest and most successful moments I think is where bass and rhythm contribute to the evolution on Silent Sanctuary, groovy and appealing, a track with improvisations on sitar and acoustic guitar. The electronic sequenced grooves on the last title track Renegade Sufi I think are also very attractive in a different, also groovy way. All tracks hang well together with enough spontaneous variation in expression."

Gerald Van Waes. Psychevanhetfolk 

What YOU are saying!
(An assortment of comments by listeners like you)

"I truly love your music! Mystic Jazz is quite exactly what it is, and I greatly enjoy it. I love Raga and Jazz!"

"Dawoud! You're the Jimi Hendrix of the sitar!"

"Absolutely Beautiful!!!! Your music gave me chills! Awesome. You are an inspiration to say the least. Today is a wonderful day for me because I have found an artist that has brought music to a new level for me. Thank you sharing your beautiful music. This is what I call creation at it's best. Thank you for venturing out into the unknown to bring forth originality to us all."

"I very much enjoy your music and only hope you will continue to create Spiritual sounds! Best wishes from Paris."

"YOU ARE AMAZZZZING!!!! I am so enthralled by your sound. The sitar is so awesome and you really do it justice babe! Keep doing your thing and know that I will stay tuned and you have a fan in NC!"

"I like your music. What a great musical environment for the sitar. Amazing."

"Nice sounds! Cool to find something different, creative and spiritual."

"Really feelin the music. Some cool out, take a cruise in the upper atmosphere and just watch the planet!!"

"I'm enjoying your versatile sounds. What an elegant way to utilize the sitar in the 21century with your blends of genre."

"Your stuff is wonderful. I love how you've mixed Jazz and electronica. What a fantastic modern take on this most ethereal of ancient instruments."

"Dawoud, I can't remember since I heard an artist play the sitar as beautifully, moving as you do. I place you up there with Shankar and Harrison."

"It is just great to hear other Muslims making music. I thank you for your music! It is very inspiring, crossing boundaries. I especially love the song Mathematics of Love".

"I love your music man, it has a deep Sufi feel!"

"I love the idea of a Renegade Sufi, that's the only appealing religious notion I've heard in a while. Fantastic music, thanks!"

"Your music is very atmospheric and peaceful yet it has involved layers that are engaging...the sitar is really cool!"

"Bonjour et bonnes ambiances sur cette page. Bravo je reviendrai !"

"I greet your soul!!!! Thank you for your spiritual sounds & music...they reflect your different experiences & influences through life...is clear that you are not alone that you are connect to a greater universal energy of which you are a integral part....Thank you very much for sharing with me your great talents...please keep making people happy & promoting tolerance in this world....I am sending you all the positive energy from INDIA"

"Your music is loveliness and harmony. May Allah bless you."

"I love coming by here to absorb your lustrous and enigmatic music. I need to get hold of the CD actually as everyone should."

"Thank you for the pleasure of listening to your music, Dawoud. You have also been in the company of awesome teachers." 

I LOVE IT! It's perfect for tai chi and yoga!!!"

"I really like the idea of a Renegade Sufi Alchemist, and you are a brilliant kawwal as well! I dig the exotic audible waves you transmit."


"Beautiful music! We love your tunes, soothing and seductive"

"Hey, this is making me float away somewhere special, Dawoud! love it!"

"You are doing someting really unique."

"I love your music and your interpretation of the sitar. Beautiful music."

"I just wanted to say that you are honestly the most talented musician I have seen."

"Your music is a mystical journey..very spacey atmosphere..I love it!"

Thanks everybody! I love ya all!!