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Stephen Elaimy is the founding member of House of Tarab and has been playing the oud for over 11 years.  His first inspiration came from listening to his father’s recordings of oud solos by Farid El Atrash.  He began studying the oud with a great Egyptian player, Morice Rauman, who gave him a strong foundation in makam and style and studied with him for several years and was his primary influence.  Stephen has also had the opportunity to study with other great oud players such as Simon Shaheen, Naser Musa, Haig Manoukian, Necati Celic, and Rachid Halhaili.  In addition, he learned a lot from other musicians such as Walid Farhoud, a Palestinian singer and kanon player, who taught him a lot about makam and some folk tunes from his father. 

His father, Wadie, is a Palestinian who was born in El Hussen, in Northern Jordan.   There is still a large population of Elaimy’s in the town of Nazareth, many of whom are accomplished musicians.  His father learned to play the oud when he was a teenager from his uncle and great oud player and singer Toufik Nimeri of Amman, Jordan.  

Stephen has performed at well over a hundred concerts and for hundreds of belly dancers in performances, classes, and workshops.  He is appreciates the opportunity to play with the amazing and dedicated musicians that make up the House of Tarab and seeks to develop and share the art of the oud and acoustic Middle Eastern music.

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