Biography

Philippe El Hage is not only a pianist and composer but also a cultural bridge-builder who brings together European classical heritage, jazz creativity, and Middle Eastern soul through both his recordings and his live performances 

🎹 Biography of Philippe El Hage

• Born: 1979, Byblos (Lebanon).
   
• First musical steps: Studied piano in Lebanon while completing a DEUG in French Literature at Saint Joseph University (Beirut).
   
• Move to Paris (2000): Continued piano studies at the Conservatoire National de Boulogne-Billancourt, then advanced for three years at the Conservatoire National de Rueil-Malmaison, under Chantale Riou, graduating with a First Prize / Gold Medal in Piano.
   
• Jazz studies: Enrolled at the Ivry-sur-Seine Conservatory and Gabriel Fauré Conservatory (Paris), studying jazz piano and improvisation with François Popineau.
   
• Recognition: Finalist in the Paris Young Talents Competition (2005) for piano improvisation.
   

Philippe’s music is a unique fusion of classical harmony, jazz improvisation, and Oriental influences.

1. Byblos (2007) – debut album recorded in France; launched his international career.
    
2. Sunday Afternoon (2008) – live recording in Beirut.
    
3. Flying with Elephants (2011) – released by Swiss jazz label Altrisuoni, featuring musicians from France, Syria, Lebanon, and Switzerland.
    
4. Asrar (2013) – duo with percussionist Youssef Hbeisch, recorded in Lausanne. Deeply inspired by Oriental heritage.
    
5. Sound of Hope (2021) – trio with Hbeisch (percussion) and Damien Hennicker (saxophone), recorded in Paris.
    
6. A Confused World (2024) – duo album with Hbeisch, recorded at MEI Studio (Dubai), released under the MEI Label.
    

In addition, he has composed solo piano works and original pieces performed across Europe and the Middle East.

• Performed in France, Switzerland, Lebanon, Syria, UAE, and beyond, both as a solo pianist and in ensembles.
   
• Tours & Festivals:
   
  • Post-Byblos release, toured with his jazz quartet.
     
  • Appeared at festivals in Europe and the Arab world, with programs blending East and West.
     
• Collaborations: Worked with musicians across genres (percussionists, saxophonists, jazz ensembles, classical projects).
   
• Known for piano & percussion duos with Youssef Hbeisch, which became a signature live format.
   
• Performed both in intimate concert halls and larger festivals, often presenting his original compositions rather than covers (Jazz festival Troyes / Sunside Jazz Club - Paris / Geneva Concert Hall / Aracaju-Brazil National Theatre / Beirut Jazz Festival )
   

• Television: Hosted Piano Plays (2012), the first educational music TV program in the Middle East (MTV Lebanon).
   
• Music Education:
   
  • 2012–2014: General Manager, Yamaha Music Department (Dubai), overseeing music schools across the Gulf.
     
  • 2014–present: Founder & Director of the Musical Expression Institute (MEI) in Dubai, a music school and recording studio.
     

Philippe El Hage’s music is characterized by:

• Classical piano virtuosity.
   
• Jazz improvisational freedom.
   
• Oriental melodic and rhythmic roots.
   
• Emotional and spiritual depth, often described as cross-cultural and borderless.