ShareKUWAIT: Kuwait’s Ghazi Faisal Al-Mulaifi and Boom.Diwan transported music lovers to the Arabian Gulf coasts at this year’s Global FEST at Lincoln Center in New York City. In a collaboration with pianist Arturo O’Farrill, this unique act blended Kuwait’s traditional pearl-diving music with Afro-Latin jazz, creating an unforgettable fusion of two rich musical traditions.
Al-Mulaifi, the visionary behind Boom.Diwan, is a musician, composer, and applied ethnomusicologist with a PhD in music from New York University. Currently a professor at NYU Abu Dhabi, Al-Mulaifi is known for his work in reviving and reimagining Kuwaiti bahri (sea) music by incorporating global jazz influences. Founded in 2017, Boom.Diwan serves as both a metaphorical “boom” (the essential ship used in Kuwait for pearl diving and trade) and a “diwan” (a gathering space for sharing and preserving traditional music).
The performance at Global FEST 2025 showcased Al-Mulaifi’s mission of dialogue and cultural exchange. In an interview, he explained that the shared rhythms and roots of both musical traditions unite them in a powerful way. The collaboration with O’Farrill, who leads New York’s Afro-Latin Jazz Ensemble, added an exciting layer to the performance, merging intricate jazz compositions with the evocative rhythms of Kuwaiti seafaring music.
This performance followed the success of the Cuban Khaleeji Project, which saw three sold-out concerts in New York. The project was supported by the NYUAD Division of Arts & Humanities and co-commissioned by The Arts Center.
Through their seamless fusion of two rich musical traditions, Ghazi Al-Mulaifi and Boom.Diwan demonstrated the universal language of music, leaving audiences at Lincoln Center mesmerized and inspired. This unique performance not only honored the past but also reimagined it for a global stage.
Al-Mulaifi, alongside fellow Kuwaiti musician Amin Abdal, made history as the first musicians from Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf to be nominated for a Grammy in the Best Latin Jazz Album category.
