Lebanon is known for many things—its lush valleys, a fertile coastal plain and a 170 km-long mountain range carpeted with cedar, oak and pine. Beirut, Tripoli, Sidon, Tyre, Byblos and Baalbek—its cities' names resonate with history's vibrations. These are cities that have borne more history than most.

It is a country renowned for its love of art and culture. Music is everywhere. Singer Fairouz, one of the most famous and instantly recognizable of Arabic voices since the early '50s, is still queen. Pop and rock are highly popular though jazz is played in many locales throughout Beirut, often against the background of eating, drinking and talking.

Background noise at a gig is perhaps the least of Lebanese jazz musicians' worries. The county's internal political strife and its vicious socio-economic consequences are an ever-present debilitating reality, while decades-long regional conflict has driven Palestinian, Iraqi and Syrian refugees in their droves into Lebanon.

Conflict with Israel—history repeating itself time and time again—has inflicted severe suffering and hardship on the population. Corruption, inequality, sectarianism, economic crisis and fighting plague a country where the majority of ordinary, hard-working Lebanese just want to live a dignified life. As the poet Khalil Gibran put it: "You have your Lebanon, and I have my Lebanon."

Lebanese jazz musicians may be small in number but there are some exceptional talents and singular voices that refuse to be silenced, even in the most difficult of times. That said, when Lebanon is embroiled in war all concerts grind to a halt and the only teaching—and nearly all jazz musicians teach in some capacity—is done online. A precarious occupation at the best of times becomes nigh impossible. Some musicians are displaced. Some choose exile.

This is not meant to be an exhaustive guide to Lebanese jazz, but rather a guide to some of the most interesting active jazz musicians. A few of the names are internationally known. Other names may be unfamiliar but are deserving of wider exposure.

Rabi Abou-Khalil

Oud player/composer