Mohammad Jamal (singer)

Mohammad Jamal (Arabic: مُحمَّد جمال; 24 May 1934 – 26 May 2023), stage name of Jamaluddin Tiffaha (Arabic: جمال الدين مُحمَّد تُفَّاحة), was a Lebanese singer and actor.

Mohammad Jamal
مُحمَّد جمال
Born	Jamaluddin Tiffaha (1934-05-24)24 May 1934 Tripoli, Lebanon
Died	26 May 2023(2023-05-26) (aged 89) Los Angeles, US
Other names	Mohamed Jamal Mohammed Jamal

Life and career

Born in Tripoli, Lebanon, to a Greek mother and to a Lebanese music teacher ^[1] who owned a shop selling and repairing musical instruments, Jamal was trained in singing since childhood.^[2][3] Between 1949 and 1951 he moved in Iraq with his family, and there he was introduced to the Iraqi maqam style.^[2][3] After failing to graduate in electrical engineering, in 1954 he started his professional musical career, working for Radio Lebanon and recording two songs he composed, "Alouli Ahl el-Hawa" and "Asmar Ya Shaghel Albi".^[2] While performing at Casino Ajram, he was noted by film director Helmy Rafla, and made his acting debut in the 1956 Egyptian film El-Armala el-Taroub, in which he also performed two songs.^[2]

In 1957, Jamal married the singer Taroub [ar], and formed with her a successful musical duo, singing in both Lebanese and Egyptian accents.^[2][3] Best known for the song "Oul Kaman", their professional partnership was interrupted by their 1964 divorce.^[2][3] In the following years Jamal got several hits, notably "Ah Ya Emm Hamada", a highly successful cover in Arabic of "Darla dirladada" in which he also served as producer, and continued to appear in local musical films.^[2] He also collaborated with Rahbani brothers, appearing in several of their musicals and TV-shows.^[2]

Following the Lebanese Civil War, Jamal decided to move from Lebanon and in 1981 he settled in Los Angeles.^[2][3] Following the 1985 release of the album Allimni el-Hobb he basically retired from showbusiness.^[2] He died on 26 May 2023, at the age of 89.^[2][4][5]