American University of Sharjah (AUS) hosted a performance by renowned Belgian oud player and guitarist Karim Baggili on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, in the Main Building of the university.

The event, which was organized by the AUS Cultural Events Committee and the AUS Jordanian Cultural Club, attracted members of the AUS community, including AUS Chancellor Dr. Björn Kjerfve, and the general public. The audience enjoyed the traditional music tinged with modern influences as Baggili performed compositions from his new album, Kali City.

Accompanying Baggili were Mohammed Al Mokhlis on violin, Youri Nanaï on bass and Vivian Ladrière on drums.

Born in 1976 of Jordanian-Yugoslav origin, Baggili is a composer and self-taught guitarist and oud player. He started with the electric guitar at the age of 16. At the age of 20, he began to work with the different flamenco guitar techniques and acquired an Arab lute (oud) during a trip to Jordan.

Baggili has received various awards for his musical artistry. In 2000, he won first prize at the Open String Festival in Osnabruck, Germany. In 2011, his album Lea and Kash was nominated for Best Album at the Octaves of Music-World Music and 10th Independent Music Awards. He won the public's prize for Best Album- World Beat category at the Independent Music Awards. He appears regularly in Belgium and also abroad. Additionally, he works on numerous projects as a composer or arranger for albums, documentaries and short films.