Article Contributed by Shore Fire Media
Published on 2026-06-13
French-Lebanese trumpeter, composer, and two-time GRAMMY nominee Ibrahim Maalouf has released his new album Trumpets of Michel-Ange II, a vibrant new album that bridges musical traditions from across the globe while remaining deeply rooted in his Middle Eastern heritage. Bursting with an essential feeling of joy, the album continues Maalouf's lifelong exploration of cultural exchange, bringing together sounds and influences from the Middle East, Cuba, New Orleans, Europe, Latin America, and beyond.
Trumpets of Michel-Ange II features a jaw-dropping array of talents from across the globe, including Jon Batiste and Trombone Shorty from New Orleans, Pedrito Martinez and Gonzalo Rubalcaba from Cuba, Palestinian vocalist Nai Barghouti, Ghanaian-American djembe player Weedie Braimah, Indian flautist Rasika Shekar, French accordionist Richard Galliano, Brazilian guitarist Hamilton de Holanda, bassist MonoNeon and gospel singer Anthony Evans and his choir.
Listen to:
“CHASING THE SUN” feat. Las Migas and Richard Galliano
The album was recorded with an ensemble of trumpeters trained on the rare four-valve instrument designed by Maalouf’s father to play the quarter tones central to Middle Eastern music. Its artwork, by Dutch actor and painter Timor Lukacs, reimagines a 1925 photograph of Maalouf’s grandfather’s fanfare in the Lebanese mountain village where Maalouf was born.
A continuation of a new musical series that Maalouf embarked on in 2024, the first installment of Trumpets of Michel-Ange led to a performance on KEXP and an interview with NPR’s 1A. Maalouf has previously been featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, NPR and performed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Maalouf will also return to tour North America for the first time in two years starting next week. The June 19-July 1 run includes the Montreal, Toronto and Blue Note, NYC, Jazz Festivals, The Troubadour in Los Angeles, and the FIFA Fan Festival concert in Vancouver on June 25.
Maalouf also recently announced his biggest headlining concert ever: he will celebrate 20 years of live concerts at the 40,000-capacity Paris La Défense Arena in April of 2027, the largest arena in all of Europe. He has previously headlined the Accor Arena in Paris three times. Full concert itinerary here: ibrahimmaalouf.com/en/accueil/concerts.
While preparing for the release of his new album, Maalouf has been busy. The “Sexy for You (Remix)” with Jason Derulo and Kevin Gates is out now, and on April 28, he unveiled “ECHO,” an official song for the FIFA World Cup. Maalouf composed the song and is a producer on the track, and it features reggaeton icon Daddy Yankee and Jamaican superstar Shenseea. A bold reimagining of his track “Red & Black Light,” “ECHO” is a stadium-ready anthem as the World Cup draws closer.
Trumpets of Michel-Ange II Track List
Tour Dates
June 12, 2026 — London, United Kingdom — Roundhouse
June 13, 2026 — Cambridge, United Kingdom — Corn Exchange
June 19, 2026 — Los Angeles, United States — The Troubadour
June 20, 2026 — San Francisco, United States — Regency Ballroom
June 22, 2026 — Portland, United States — The Den
June 23, 2026 — Seattle, United States — The Crocodile
June 25, 2026 — Vancouver, BC — FIFA Fan Festival™ Vancouver, Hastings Park
June 27, 2026 — Toronto, Canada — Danforth Music Hall, Toronto Jazz Festival
June 28, 2026 — Ottawa, Canada — Confederation Park, Ottawa Jazz Festival
June 29, 2026 — New York, United States — Sony Hall, Blue Note Jazz Festival
July 1, 2026 — Montreal, Canada — MTelus, Montreal Jazz Festival
July 8, 2026 — Puget-sur-Argens, France — Le Mas des Escaravatiers
July 17, 2026 — Ostrava, Czech Republic — Festival Colours
July 30, 2026 — Marciac, France — Jazz in Marciac
November 4, 2026 — Milan, Italy — Arcimboldi
November 5, 2026 — Florence, Italy — Teatro Cartiere Carrara
November 11, 2026 — Lörrach, Germany — Burghof
November 13, 2026 — Monheim am Rhein, Germany — Kulturraffinerie K714
November 14, 2026 — Dortmund, Germany — Konzerthaus
November 17, 2026 — Mérignac, France — Pin Galant
November 18, 2026 — Toulouse, France — Casino Barrière
November 19, 2026 — Grenoble, France — Le Summum
November 20, 2026 — Lyon–Décines, France — FIDUCIAL Astéria
November 22, 2026 — Déols, France — MACH 36
November 24, 2026 — Biarritz, France — Gare du Midi
November 27, 2026 — Dubai, United Arab Emirates — Opera
December 4, 2026 — Limoges, France — Opéra
December 5, 2026 — Montluçon, France — Centre Athanor
December 8, 2026 — Clermont-Ferrand, France — Maison de la Culture
December 10, 2026 — Annecy, France — L'Arcadium
December 15, 2026 — Marseille, France — Le Silo
December 16, 2026 — Lens, France — Le Colisée
December 17, 2026 — Lille, France — Casino Barrière
December 18, 2026 — Mons, Belgium — Théâtre Royal
December 19, 2026 — Dole, France — La Commanderie
December 20, 2026 — Macon, France — Le Spot
March 14, 2027 — Troyes, France — Théâtre de Troyes
March 16, 2027 — Caen, France — Zénith
March 18, 2027 — Boulazac, France — Arena le Palio
March 24, 2027 — Pau, France — Zénith
March 25, 2027 — Toulouse, France — Zénith
March 26, 2027 — Bordeaux, France — Arkéa Aréna
March 27, 2027 — Montpellier, France — Zénith
March 30, 2027 — Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg — Rockhal
March 31, 2027 — Poitiers, France — Arena Futuroscope
April 1, 2027 — Nantes, France — Zénith
April 2, 2027 — Lille, France — Zénith
April 3, 2027 — Brussels, Belgium — Forest National
April 10, 2027 — Paris, France — Paris La Défense Arena
