Sami will be putting down his violin, in order to sing a concert of mid-20th century Egyptian classics and lesser-known gems originally performed by Umm Kulthum, Mohamed Abdel-Wahab, Layla Murad, Aziz Uthman, and Horeya Hassan. After a few light appetizers, the main course will be a full performance of Umm Kulthum's 1958 masterpiece composed by Riyad al-Sunbati: "Aruh li meen."
8pm - Sami Abu Shumays
9pm - Open Jam Session
Admission: $10
Doors at 7:30pm
Featuring:
Sami Abu Shumays - vocals
Brian Prunka - oud
Zafer Tawil - qanun
Johnny - riq
Nezih - tabla
Marandi Hostetter - violin
Insia Malik - violin
John Murchison - bass
Sami Abu Shumays is an arab violinist & vocalist, and founder of the NYC-based group Zikrayat (www.zikrayatmusic.com). He developed the website www.maqamlessons.com and has taught Arabic music at workshops across the U.S. Along with Johnny Farraj, he is co-author of Inside Arabic Music, forthcoming from Oxford University Press. He is also an arts administrator, serving as deputy director of Flushing Town Hall (www.flushingtownhall.org), a multi-disciplinary cultural organization in Queens, NY.