The renowned Ghazal Ensemble, led by Iranian kamancheh virtuoso Kayhan Kalhor and Indian sitar maestro Shujaat Husain Khan will return to New York City for a special 20th anniversary performance on Sunday March 22nd at 19:30 (7:30pm) at Pace University’s Michael Schimmel Center for the Arts. The ensemble also features acclaimed Indian percussionist Sandeep Das.
Ghazal Ensemble represents an influential cross-cultural collaboration in world music, releasing groundbreaking recordings that mix two complex classical traditions: the Persian dastgah and North Indian raga. The recordings, as well as Ghazal Ensemble’s live shows, have reinforced the ensemble’s international reputation.
This special 20th anniversary concert is part of Pace University’s current global music series that will also present new material for the ensemble, celebrating the Persian New Year (Nowruz) and adding another chapter to their ever-evolving musical dialogue.
The idea for Ghazal started in 1995, when the New York City-based world music presenter and producer Isabel Soffer (Live Sounds, GlobalFEST, World Music Institute), asked Kayhan Kalhor, “Of all the artists in the world, with whom would you most like to collaborate?” and the reply was “Shujaat Khan.” Soffer arranged for the artists to meet. The rehearsals were thrilling, and the musicians quickly began recording their first CD, Lost Songs from the Silk Road, which was released in 1997.
Ghazal Ensemble released the “Silk Road” studio recordings for the Shanachie label. Later they worked with ECM, who released the live CD Rain.
Kayhan Kalhor (kamancheh), Shujaat Husain Khan (sitar, vocals), and Sandeep Das (tabla)
Sunday March 22 at 7:30pm
Michael Schimmel Center at Pace University
3 Spruce Street
New York, NY 10038
Tickets: all seats $39
212-346-1715
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
