(headline image: Hamza Akram Qawwal Ens by Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi)
Hamza Akram Qawwal & Brothers, grandsons of the renowned Munshi Raziuddin, are set to perform at Roulette in New York on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 8:00 PM. The ensemble, known for their captivating renditions of qawwali, returns following well-received performances in 2019 and March 2024.
Qawwali, a Sufi vocal tradition characterized by ecstatic improvisation, was popularized in the West by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Hamza Akram Qawwal & Brothers represent the 26th generation of the Qawwal Bachon ka Gharana, a musical lineage tracing back over 700 years to its founder, Saamat bin Ibrahim, a disciple of the mystic Amir Khusrau.
Hamza has studied with the acclaimed Naseeruddin Saami and his uncle, Fareed Ayaz Qawwal, with whom he and his brothers have toured extensively. The ensemble creates an immersive musical experience through rhythmic hand clapping, drumming, and powerful vocals. Their performances span centuries, from 13th-century Persian poetry to contemporary Punjabi works celebrating divine love.
Presented by Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette.
Roulette, 509 Atlantic Avenue at 3rd Avenue, Downtown Brooklyn
Box office: 917-267-0363. More information at roulette.org
Author: World Music Central News Room
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