Pop Violinist/Composer Réya Releases Her New Instrumental Single

LOS ANGELES – When pop violinist/composer Réya was growing up in Lebanon, she discovered her passion for listening and creating music, whether it was Middle Eastern, pop, classical or electronic music her love for music would lead her to a career that would span her native land and into the U.S.

With a string of hit singles under her belt, the acclaimed musician taps her Lebanese heritage for her newest instrumental single “October 17 Rises,” now available on Apple Music, Spotify and other platforms. To purchase the song, click here.

“The song title refers to the fact that the revolution in Lebanon is ongoing and still strong. I was in the U.S. during much of the revolution and wanted to join the whole movement and support the cause,” she said. “For the longest time, Lebanon has been ruled by a corrupt government and seeing everyone come together, Lebanese in all different countries, really inspired me and I felt the need to write this piece in support of the whole movement.”

This song features a full orchestra and hand percussion with a sprawling melodic feel that is meant to echo the deep connection between the artist and her native land. With the guidance of her mentor, Maestro Julius P. Williams, Réya helped shape the song’s unique orchestral sound that echoed her love for classical music and pop melodies.

The song is a precursor to her upcoming instrumental album which blends her eclectic musical tastes that range from classical and pop to jazz and rhythm and blues. The album is a culmination of a career that saw the ambitious composer and violinist discover music at age 5 when her teachers encouraged her family to enroll her in music classes. Born Réya Wahab, the precocious youngster was immersed in music early on as her parents shared their love of music buying her CDs and taking her music festivals and concerts at an early age.

“My music teacher was a violinist and I really admired her which is why I picked the violin. It started as a hobby, but very quickly, I started loving it more and pushing myself more,” she recalled. “Growing up, we always listened to Michael Jackson, the Beatles, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, as well as Fairuz and Abd el Halim growing up, my mom played them all the time. I liked to listen to traditional Middle Eastern music and of course classical music because I studied at the Lebanese conservatory and pop and theatre music with friends.”

After attending the Lebanese National Conservatory and making a name for herself while performing throughout the Middle East, she attended Berklee College of Music in Boston and continued to release a string of hit singles that included “Rooted.” “Debris” as well as acoustic cover of Ibrahim Maalouf’s “True Sorry,” and others.

“What I hope my music does is make listeners feel the emotion I felt when writing it. My first piece, ‘Rooted,’ I was feeling nostalgia and longing for my country,” she said. “‘October 17 Rises’ was written when I was feeling strong, powerful and resilient. I hope it touches the listeners in whatever way and makes them feel something that they would like to listen to it again to reconnect with that feeling.”

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has halted all plans for performing live, Réya is looking forward to the release of her new album and performing live shows in 2021.

For more information, please visit www.reyawahab.com.