American Sufi Project
Vol. 1 (Ammi Media, 2015)
American Sufi Project is a new ensemble focusing on the Sufi musical traditions from Turkey, Iran and the Kurdish region. Based in New York City, the musicians skillfully combine ancient Sufi mystical pieces and Middle Eastern instruments with jazz and western musical instruments like guitars and bass.
Sufi music is a type of trance or ecstatic music and the effect of resonating frame drums accompanying the serpentine ney flute is truly mesmerizing. American Sufi Project is part of a larger arts project with the intention of connecting people to the spiritually inclined works of music, art and literature emerging from the vibrant, multidimensional Sufi community of the United States of America.
The musicians on American Sufi Project Vol. 1 include Dan Kurfirst on frame drums; Tomchess on ney; Gabriel Marin on fretless electric guitar, tanbur, saz and kemencheh; and John Ferrara on bass. Guests featured: Juliet Rabia Gentile on vocals; Mehdi Layegh on vocals and santoor; and Bahman Karimnia on vocals.
American Sufi Project Vol. 1 opens a portal to a timeless music realm where ancient sacred traditions meet modern jazz improvisation.
Purchase the Vol. 1 digital download version
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.
