Ahmed Warshana

 

With a sound that bridges post-bop, Afro-Cuban grooves, and Egyptian classical melodies, Ahmed Warshanna is redefining the modern jazz landscape. A Baltimore-based guitarist, composer, and arranger, he is known for his ability to transcend musical boundaries while remaining deeply rooted in jazz traditions.

Ahmed studied at UMBC, where he was awarded the 2020 Music Achievement Award. His debut album, Ishta, masterfully blends intricate rhythms with evocative melodies, creating a sound that is both innovative and deeply expressive. The Sentinel’s Travis Rogers Jr. describes his arrival on the jazz scene as "akin to a thunderbolt," signaling the emergence of an artist who truly defies genres.

Beyond his work as a performer and composer, Ahmed founded The Backwater Sessions in Ellicott City, a weekly music series that has grown into a cornerstone of Baltimore’s jazz and improvisational music scene. Originally an intimate gathering of musicians, it has evolved into a vibrant venue showcasing a diverse range of artists, fostering collaboration, and pushing creative boundaries.

Ahmed has shared the stage with Brandon Woody, Allison Miller, Clarence Ward III, Ted Baker, Ephraim Dorsey, Obasi Akoto, Elijah Jamal Balbed, Jo Palmer, Justin Mendez, and Ryan Hanseler. Through his compositions, performances, and curatorial work, he continues to bridge cultures and traditions, shaping the future of jazz in bold and unexpected ways.

 

Videos

The! Warshanna Quintet - Inty Omry

Music

ISHTA

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Reviews

Ahmed Warshanna splashes onto the scene like a thunderbolt with his debut album Ishta. To call it fascinating is to ignore the warmth of its depth; to call it emotional is to say too little of its intellectual prowess. It is a remarkable work which combines western Jazz and elements of Egyptian rhythms and motifs…The blending of the styles is extraordinary…Ahmed plays with such a clean and precise sound, the melody takes centerstage in such beautiful ways. With only five tracks on the album, the music is wondrously expounded and explored over the course of 43 splendid minutes…Out of the depths of his grief, Ahmed Warshanna a work of beauty and wonder. The album deserves rapt attention and the artist bears close watching.

— Travis Rogers Jr., The Sentinel

Ahmed Warshanna has assembled one heck of a septet to deliver Ishta…Each one takes a turn in the spotlight to make a spectacular impression and to preserve that slow burn that’s stoked by the creative young man on the guitar…Warshanna is focused on the whole, basking in the creative process and producing gems such as this. Highly recommended.

— Marc Phillips, Part Time Audiophile

A multi culti guitarist influenced as much by post bop as his native Egyptian music has ridden his version of the fusion of the two to award winning glories…A wild trip for open eared listeners.

— CHRIS SPECTOR, MIDWEST RECORD

Photos

 

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