Divahn – Shalhevet (Divahn, 2020)
Divahn is an all-female American ensemble based in New York City that specializes in Jewish music from the Middle East. It is one of the few groups that performs Mizrahi (eastern) and Judeo-Arab music in the United States. Their new album Shalhevet celebrates the resilience of women.
Shalhevet contains a set of beautifully reconstructed versions of traditional Sephardic and Mizrahi songs. The ensemble features highly talented instrumentalists and vocalists who use chamber-style strings, a mix of Indian, Middle Eastern (including trance-like framed drums), and Latin American percussion. The vocals are in Hebrew, Persian, and Arabic.
Divahn’s founder, Persian-American vocalist, composer, author, and anthropology professor Galeet Dardashti indicates that Divahn is about introducing to audiences the wonderful common heritage of the interconnected Abrahamic peoples of the Middle East while also taking a vocal standpoint against the standardizing forces of nativism (supporting locals and opposing immigrants) that are more and more widespread in today’s political climate in the United States.
“We’d mostly been focused on doing a lot of live performances the last couple years, but then the Trump election of 2016 happened,” reveals Galeet. “Like so many, we were all so devastated and really wanted to respond as artists, so it became really clear that we were going to make another album. The world needs an all-female Middle Eastern Jewish album that celebrates what connects us, rather than what tears us apart.”
The ensemble on Shalhevet includes Galeet Dardashti on lead vocals and mountains dulcimer; Megan Gould on violin, viola, kamanche, and backing vocals; Eleanor Norton on cello and backing vocals; Elizabeth Pupo-Walker on cajón, congas, percussion and backing vocals); and Sejal Kukadia on Indian tabla and backing vocals.
Guests include Shanir Blumenkranz on oud and bass; Pjilip Mayer on riqq and percussion; Zafer Tawil on oud and frame drum; and Eli Walker on bass.
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.
Hello Galeet–I’m glad to hear you are doing so well! All my best wishes to you and the band. Don Jacobs.