We caught up with Gabriel Alejandro Oramas founder and arranger of Modern Jazz Melodies (MJM) to find out about his musical journey, collaborations and Qatar’s jazz scene.

How old were you when you first knew you wanted a life in music and what’s your earliest musical memory?
I was a teenager – around 14 or 15. It was that period where everything is shifting and you’re trying to figure out who you are. Growing and changing alongside music made me merge with it. Since then, I honestly can’t imagine a life that’s not tied to music. My earliest musical memory is of my uncle. He’s a guitarist and a tresero – a traditional Cuban instrument – and I remember him playing in the living room. I was completely hypnotised by the sound. That moment has stuck with me forever.

Studying at Havana’s Instituto Superior de Arte, part of your double major was bassoon, an instrument many people won’t have heard of. What attracted you to this in particular and, since you’re now more known as a pianist, do you still play it?
The bassoon is my first musical love – my personal gateway into the world of sound. Funny enough, I didn’t actually choose it. In Cuba’s music school system, once all the popular instruments are taken, what’s left are the so-called ‘deficit’ instruments, like bassoon or oboe. At age 10, after missing out on other options, my mom encouraged me to enrol at the Vocational School of Arts as a bassoonist, promising I could switch to something else later – like guitar or percussion. The bassoon was literally taller than me at the time.
Three months in, I got the chance to change instruments, but the bassoon had already captivated me. I stayed with it all the way through to university and, even though piano has taken centre stage in my life now, that instrument shaped who I am musically. The bassoon chose me. Unfortunately, I don’t have one now and haven’t played since 2012. But I know that if I held one today, I’d feel the same magic I felt the last time I played.

What first brought you to Qatar from your native Cuba and how is your music received here?
Before coming to Qatar, I was already travelling and sharing Cuban music in countries like Colombia, Venezuela, El Salvador and China. I originally came to Doha on a three-month contract, but something about this place captivated me. I saw an audience hungry for music, and I noticed so many musical gaps – spaces where I could contribute something meaningful. I saw potential for growth and transformation, both for the music scene and for myself. And I knew I wanted to be part of that. To grow and to give something back.

Your music fuses vintage jazz aesthetics with contemporary melodies, is there a thriving jazz scene in Qatar? Where can people hear you play?
There’s a growing appreciation for jazz in Qatar, especially among audiences looking for deeper musical experiences. I’ve been part of this wave, blending vintage jazz with modern sounds to create something fresh. Right now, you can find me performing every Saturday at Seen with MJM and once a month at Highmore as well. These spaces are becoming cultural hubs where jazz is not just heard – it’s felt.

Aside from actually playing, you’re also a composer, arranger, producer and more, having worked with the likes of Qatar’s musical ambassador Dana Al Fardan. Please tell us a bit about that side of your musical life and, perhaps, your favourite collaboration.
I love composing and arranging because it’s where imagination runs wild. Creating with Dana Al Fardan is a beautiful experience – her vision is bold and poetic. We collaborated on a project that felt cinematic, rich with emotion.
It’s been both a joy and a great opportunity to be involved in the creation of two full-length albums. The first, The Tempest, premiered recently at Katara Opera House with a sold-out show. It’s a 12-track album filled with imagery and sonic depth – one of my favourite pieces from it is Kanz.
The second album, Metamorphosis, is set to be released next year. The entire process has been inspiring – from composing and arranging, to witnessing the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra bring the pieces to life. Sharing ideas and being heard by top-tier musicians has truly pushed my musical skills to a new level.

If you had to give some advice to young people seeking a musical career in Qatar, what would you tell them?
My advice is to follow your instinct above all. If there’s a piece of music – or a genre – that brings you a memory, a tear or a smile, then it’s worth holding on to. Revisit it, dive deeper into it and create new moments through that sound.
Break the barriers of musical genres – they’re just illusions meant to separate us. Music is one. Genres are simply languages and one can be translated into another. At the end of the day, music is sound that resonates with our frequency – whether it’s pop, jazz or classical.

And, though you have many obvious talents, is there a hidden one or a secret ambition that you can share with us?
A hidden talent I discovered here in Qatar is modelling. I started getting contacted by agencies and fashion designers – like Fahad Al Obaidly – to model for their creations and, surprisingly, it came quite naturally. I even did a few shoots for Shop Qatar back in 2021.
As for a secret ambition, I’ve always wanted to be a writer. Since I was a child, I’ve written poetry and short stories. Last year, I finally decided to publish a children’s book about music history called The Forest Quartet. It’s available online and it means a lot to me – it’s a project that blends storytelling, education and imagination. ✤