Born in Beirut, Rami Gabriel, Ph.D., is a syncretic scholar and multi-instrumentalist whose work explores the intersection of affective neuroscience, philosophy, and sound. As an Associate Professor and author, he publishes extensively on the evolution of the mind, emotion, and consciousness.

His, Rami Gabriel’s, musical practice enlivens the oud and electric buzuq, blending traditional Arabic idioms with blues, jazz, and post-punk. Through sonic hybridity and scholarship, Gabriel navigates the diasporic experience, creating a living dialogue between trance ritual, experimental performance, and the psychological roots of culture. Explore his books, albums, and research on the emotional mind.

Rami Gabriel has received several grants from the Illinois Arts Council to record original compositions with Chicago favorites The Arab Blues (with preeminent percussionist Karim Nagi) and the rhythm and blues quartet Rami & the Reliables (with Scott Ligon and Casey McDonough of NRBQ and Alex Hall of The Flat Five and Modern Sounds). In addition to a dozen albums by these groups recorded at Reliable Recorders, he has produced solo albums released by the cooperatively-run independent label Sooper Records: That’s what I been sayin’ (2024), That's what I mean (remixes from top Chicago producers) (2025), electric buzuq EP DADAD (2025), and his new LP album Tunderizer (2026).

Rami Gabriel’s musical foundation was forged under the tutelage of masters such as Dr. Scott Marcus, Bassam Saba, and Mehmet Bitmez. This diverse training has led to a prolific performance career alongside iconic artists across genres—from blues legend Buddy Guy and deep listening pioneer Pauline Oliveros to sitarist Shubhendra Rao.

Whether performing in Glenn Branca's 100 Guitar Symphony 13 or opening for Zakir Hussain and Bela Fleck, Rami brings a unique sonic perspective to every collaboration. His stage credits span global traditions and contemporary innovation, reflecting a career defined by artistic depth and prestigious partnerships. He has performed at dozens of underground venues including on WFMU, and has shared bills with Marvin Tate, Prostitute, Imarhan, as well as performing highlife in Accra, Ghana, and with Hindustani classical musicians in New Delhi, India.

An accomplished author and academic, Dr. Rami Gabriel has published three seminal books that bridge science and culture: A Suspicious Science: The Uses of Psychology (Oxford University Press, 2023), The Emotional Mind (Harvard University Press, 2019), and Why I Buy (Intellect Press, 2013).

Currently an Associate Professor Emeritus of Psychology and a visiting Fellow at the Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, his scholarship explores the deep affective roots of cognition. By interrogating how self, taste, and consumerism shape modern society, Dr. Gabriel continues to influence the global dialogue on the philosophy of psychology and human nature.