RBA in partnership with Brooklyn Maqam: ABDULRAHMAN AL-AKHFASH with ZAFIR TAWIL / AMAL WAQAR with TAREQ RANTISI

Saturday, April 4, 2020. 8:00 pm (7pm Doors) Get your tickets now!!
https://roulette.org/event/rba-in-partnership-with-brooklyn-maqam-abdulrahman-al-akhfash-with-zafir-tawil-amal-waqar-with-tareq-rantisi/

The music of the Arabian peninsula is far less documented and more rarely heard than that of the Levant and of Egypt. On the southern edge of the peninsula lies Yemen, a country with an ancient history, remarkable architecture, and a rich musical culture that is steeped in the classic Arabic tradition of sung poetry. Both Yemen and its neighbor Oman are seafaring nations with a long history of trade with East Africa and Asia and have thus absorbed musical influences from these regions, as well as from nomadic tribal culture.

Yemeni singer and ‘ud (lute) player Abdulrahman al-Akhfash has a wide command of Yemeni genres and is particularly noted for his contribution to and development of the Sanani (North Yemen) tradition of classical Arabic and Yemeni songs. He has built a considerable reputation throughout Yemen and the Yemeni diaspora for his performances which include both traditional songs and his own compositions. He is accompanied by Palestinian multi-instrumentalist Zafer Tawil and others to be announced.

Amal Waqar is a young singer and ‘ud player from the coastal city of Muscat, Oman. At a young age she began to study the ‘ud, an instrument that was traditionally played only by men. Currently living in Boston, she continues her musical education at Berklee College and dedicates much of her time to teaching ‘ud to women. She sings and plays both traditional Omani songs, as well as her own compositions. She is accompanied by Palestinian percussionist Tareq Rantisi.

​This concert presented by Robert Browning Associates in partnership with Brooklyn Maqam.

EDEN ZANE returns to The Sultan Room! Come join for a set with Eden and his band, followed by DJ set from Wake Island.

Eden Zane is a vocalist & songwriter aiming to electrify the live Arabic music scene in NYC’s dance halls. His shows combine dance-pop hits, mesmeric Arabic tarab, original music, and an ensemble of stellar musicians. His smooth baritone vocals convey “romance, elegance, and gusto” (The New York Times) and are marked by warm sensuality.

Wake Island is an electronic producer duo originally from Beirut and now based between Montreal and New York. Through their music, they attempt to reconcile their Arab roots with their North American lives, infusing Middle-eastern sounds into songs that are inspired by Detroit techno and 80-90s pop/rock. Their DJ sets offer a fresh perspective on Arabic music blending some of the most innovative electronic tracks with more traditional popular songs and old/rare cuts. They also co-founded LayLit, a NYC-based regional party that celebrates the diversity of music from the Middle-East/North Africa region and its diaspora.

https://www.facebook.com/events/863876830726914/