Wanees Zarour is an award-winning Palestinian-American composer, arranger, educator, and multi-instrumentalist steeped in the traditions of Middle Eastern maqam and jazz. His compositional voice transcends borders, blending Arabic, jazz, classical, and global musical sensibilities into a bold and cohesive language. Whether writing for his jazz-maqam septet East Loop or for full orchestra, Zarour creates music that is both deeply rooted and forward-looking, driven by rhythmic intensity, lyrical improvisation, and a strong sense of narrative.

From a young age, Zarour immersed himself in the maqam microtonal system, studying with master musicians while expanding his instrumental practice to include oud and buzuq, on which he is widely regarded as a virtuoso. He holds a master’s degree in Jazz Composition from DePaul University and currently serves as director of the 85-piece Middle East Music Ensemble at the University of Chicago. He also co-directs the Chicago Immigrant Orchestra alongside renowned jazz guitarist Fareed Haque. Zarour is the recipient of the 3Arts Award and the Chicago Esteemed Artist Award.

East Loop is a central vehicle for Zarour’s compositional vision, bringing together a diverse group of improvisers to explore the intersection of maqam and contemporary jazz. The ensemble is distinguished by its layered arrangements, intricate rhythmic frameworks, and a highly collaborative approach that foregrounds both individual expression and collective sound. Drawing on the modal depth of Arabic music alongside the harmonic and improvisational language of jazz, East Loop creates performances that are at once tightly structured and expansively fluid.

The group’s recent album Silwan has received critical acclaim for its structural sophistication, richly textured ensemble writing, and seamless integration of traditions. Coverage in All About Jazz, DownBeat Magazine, and Paris Move has highlighted the ensemble’s dynamic interplay, rhythmic vitality, and the clarity of Zarour’s compositional voice, recognizing East Loop as a leading force in contemporary global jazz.