Les Arrivants – Towards the Light (Les Arrivants, 2024)
Les Arrivants, an acclaimed multinational world fusion band based in Canada, have released their second album, Towards the Light. Building on the success of their debut album Home, this new release further explores their musical heritage and instruments. The band members, each a virtuoso in their own right, bring together the diverse cultures of the globe. The ensemble features Argentine bandoneón player Amichai Ben Shalev; Jordanian oudist Abdul-Wahab Kayyali; and Iranian percussionist Hamin Honari, who unite to embark on a groundbreaking musical journey, pushing the boundaries of their art.
These extraordinary musicians create a mesmerizing fusion, seamlessly intertwining Middle Eastern music, Argentine tango, Western classical music, and jazz elements.
Towards the Light symbolizes the band’s ongoing journey of resettlement and relocation. The album’s repertoire thoughtfully explores themes of perpetual movement, shifting landscapes, and the persistent uncertainty faced by those without a permanent homeland. Through this exploration, Les Arrivants redefine their place in the music world, boldly challenging traditional genre classifications.
Amichai Ben Shalev – Bandoneon
Amichai Ben Shalev, a distinguished bandoneon player, earned his degree from the Manuel de Falla Conservatory in Buenos Aires in 2012, studying under maestro Rodolfo Daluisio, a pioneer in concert bandoneon.
His career spans solo classical performances, orchestral works, tango, and even heavy metal compositions. Highlights include his solo performance at the world premiere of “Fiori Musicali for Bandoneon and String Orchestra,” Opus 131, No. 3 by Rodolfo Daluisio at the Artes Vertientes Festival in Brazil, and performing “Summer Band” by Daniel Teruggi at the first Electro-acoustic Music Festival in Buenos Aires. He has been a soloist with the Jerusalem Symphony and has given solo concerts at the University of Toronto and Cornish School of Arts in Seattle.
In 2018, he conducted a masterclass for composers at the Canadian Music Centre in Toronto and lectured at the University of Montreal and McGill University. In 2019, he led a workshop and concert at the University of Berlin. Shalev also created Bandoneon TV, the first YouTube channel dedicated to bandoneon studies.
Abdul-Wahab Kayyali – Oud
Abdul-Wahab Kayyali began studying the oud in 1989 at the National Music Conservatory of Amman, Jordan, under Sakher Hattar, with additional guidance from Iraqi oud virtuoso Munir Bashir. As both a soloist and member of the Conservatory’s Arabic Music Ensemble, he participated in numerous Middle Eastern musical and cultural festivals, including the Jerash Festival for Culture and Arts and the Arabic Music Festival in Cairo.
In North America, Kayyali has performed in cities such as Boston, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Detroit, and Montreal. He has also lectured and conducted workshops on Arabic oud, maqam theory, and the history of Arabic music. In 2012, Kayyali founded the Juthoor project, followed by the Etihad Middle Eastern Music Salon in 2019. He released his debut solo album, Juthoor, in 2020.
Hamin Honari – Persian Hand Drums
Hamin Honari, an acclaimed Iranian percussionist and composer, is known for his innovative approach to Persian music. Born in 1983 in Zahedan to a family of musicians, Honari started his musical education early, studying the tombak under Ramin Bahrami.
He has explored various rhythms and styles, incorporating elements from jazz, classical, and other genres into traditional Persian music. Honari has been active in Vancouver’s music scene, collaborating with diverse musicians and performing with various ensembles. His unique style combines traditional Persian rhythms with contemporary influences, evidenced in several solo and collaborative albums. Honari’s dynamic live performances are noted for their emotional and spiritual connection with audiences. He continues to innovate in Persian music, helping to introduce this rich tradition to global audiences.
Guests: Reza Abaee on ghaychak; Didem Başar on kanun; Pierre-Alexandre Maranda on double bass; and
Charles Papasoff on bass clarinet
Release Date: August 16, 2025.
Author: Sonia Keller
