Abadi al-Johar

Abdullah Mohammed Johar, known as 'Abadi al-Johar' (born 1953), is a Saudi singer and composer nicknamed 'Akhtabout al-Oud' (the Octopus of the Oud) due to his exceptional oud-playing skills. His talent has been recognized by prominent artists such as Mohammed Abdulwahab, Ammar al-Sherei, and Munir Bashir. He is one of the pioneers of songs in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and has witnessed its transformations and artistic developments. He has composed for renowned artists, including Talal Maddah and Najat al-Saghira.

Abadi al-Johar's father passed away when he was three, so his mother cared for him and his brother. He spent his early years moving between Cairo, Jeddah, and Beirut. Al-Johar completed his primary and intermediate education but could not finish high school. His talent for singing and playing music became evident at the age of twelve, and he was known to practice playing for long hours, sometimes up to nine hours a day.

Abadi al-Johar settled in Jeddah, where his mother suffered from illness and passed away in 1974, once again experiencing the pain of loss.

At the beginning of his career, Abadi al-Johar had a different ambition far removed from the arts; to become a military officer. However, he quickly abandoned this aspiration and became increasingly attached to his talent, which was discovered by the artist Talal Maddah. Subsequently, al-Johar became one of the most important Arab singers, composers, and musicians.

Abadi al-Johar is considered one of the prominent participants in the musical performance in the operetta of the National Festival for Heritage and Culture 'al-Janadria,' alongside Talal Maddah, Mohammed Abdu, Abdulmajeed Abdullah, and Rashid al-Majid. He has several patriotic anthems, including ‘Hatha al-Saudi’ (This is the Saudi), 'Aghla Balad' (Dearest Country), and 'Rahn al-Ishara' (At the Signal). Additionally, he has many famous songs, such as 'Tedrin w Adri Bnftrg' (You Know and I Know We Will Part), 'al-Mazhariyyah' (The Vase), 'Sekkah Tawilah' (A Long Road), and 'Galo Tara' (They Said).

In 2005, Abdi al-Johar was bestowed the highest honor in the Sultanate of Oman by Sultan Qaboos Bin Said; the Sultan Qaboos Award for Culture, Science, and Arts. He was also awarded the title of Best Gulf Singer at the fifth edition of the Arabic Music Festival for Video Clip, granted an honorary doctorate from the Academy of Egypt, and honored at the Alexandria International Film Festival on the Opera House stage. He received the Shield of Creativity from the Saudi Arabian Society for Culture and Arts.