The vocal and instrumental works of Jasser Haj Youssef are unclassifiable. They are impregnated with the improvised style of the Arabic maqams that he learned in Monastir and Sousse (Tunisia) from his father as well as the freest forms of jazz – which he often plays on the viola d'amore . Between scholarly and traditional music, his compositions take us from a contemplative adagio (with texts in Aramaic and Italian) to catchy jazz rhythms.
Jasser was the first to rediscover the baroque viola d’amore. He has mastered this extraordinary instrument perfectly and uses it to create a wonderful, multifaceted and surprisingly modern sound, embracing classical, oriental, jazz and Indian styles.... The music world can’t get enough of him, and he can be found leading the Paris Chamber Orchestra and the Mediterranean Youth Orchestra and playing in quartets or solo on the most prestigious stages.