American becomes new star on Arabs Got Talent

[Sunlei]

She's an American with no Arab roots, who speaks only a few words of Arabic, and yet her singing barely betrays her identity.

To make the challenge even harder, Jennifer has also performed on stage while playing the oud, a stringed instrument similar to the lute.

Grout masters the vocals and the lyrics of sophisticated Arabic songs with such ease that she has made it to the finals of Arabs Got Talent in Beirut on Saturday.

"A lot of old Arabic songs, a lot of the popular songs are still performed, but not in the same way. They aren't performed in the classical style which is much more beautiful and much more important to music", says Grout. "By performing them the way I do, maybe, just maybe, I can open up a new audience and even open up young Arabs to this kind of music."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25263304

[treestar]

1. Very interesting

It's nice to see cross cultural things happening.

[Nika]

2. With that talent she should indeed learn that language.

It would be an endeavor well worth her time. It also will be interesting to see how she is received if she does win this.