Khumayyis Tarnān

Biography

Khumayyis Tarnan (1894–1964) was a Bizerte singer, oud player and composer.

He learned maluf suites from Ahmad al-Tuwayli and led Tunisia’s ensemble at the 1932 Cairo congress. His pupil Salah al-Mahdi names his father Ali and uncle Muhammad as Isawiyya chanters and describes his upbringing in Mawlidiyya, Isawiyya and Salamiyya practice. Mahdi recounts his 1917 military call-up and court intervention after hearing him sing. He dates his death to 31 October 1964 and identifies Ali al-Darwish as his notation teacher. Samia Qatfi dates his professional Al-Murabit café ensemble to 1919. He subsequently trained Rachidia members, taught at the National Music Institute and instructed the radio ensemble in maluf. Citing music inspector Khalil Hafhuf, she reports that Salah al-Mahdi commissioned his Tunis al-jamila for school teaching. Ali Louati describes his maluf transcription work with Muhammad al-Triki and Muhammad al-Habib al-Amri and compositions for Saliha, Shbila Rashid and Oulaya. Some works combine Tunisian modes with eastern modes or rhythms, including Taf bil-sahba badri and Shanbar Nawa.

As printed on the labels Saïd Khomaïs Ternanالسيّد خُميّس ترنان