Simon Shaheen & Qantara with special guests Nidal Ibourk, Auxi Fernandez and Juan Pérez Rodríguez are set to perform on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at Baruch Performing Arts Center’s Mason Hall, 17 Lexington Avenue at 23rd Street, New York City.
Violin and oud master Simon Shaheen, a crucial major figure in the promotion of Arab music, will bring to life the Arab music of Al-Andalus and blend it with the art of flamenco in a program of instrumental and vocal music and dance. Shaheen will be joined by the admirable Moroccan singer Nidal Ibourk, who has collaborated with him on many occasions; the young fiery flamenco dancer Auxi Fernandez who complements the music with her sinuous arm movements and explosive footwork; flamenco vocalist, guitarist and pianist Juan Pérez Rodríguez, from a family of Gypsy musicians; and Shaheen’s much-admired Qantara ensemble.
The program renews a relationship that began more than a thousand years ago; it reveals the commonalities of a music born in cultural centers of Iraq and Syria, blew like the wind (zafir) across the waters of the Mediterranean to Al-Andalus, blended with elements of Spanish music, and was brought back across the sea to North Africa where it flourished in the cities of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia.
Information and tickets: www.robertbrowningassociates.com
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.
