From March 28 to April 6, 2025, the Silkroad Ensemble will tour Uplifted Voices along the U.S. West Coast, featuring six distinguished performer-composers in an intimate showcase of global musical storytelling.
The program highlights compositions rooted in the artists’ heritage, drawing from ancestral traditions, migration narratives, and personal experiences. Mixing world music influences with contemporary innovation, each musician offers a distinct perspective while contributing to a shared, cross-cultural dialogue.
The lineup includes:
- Pura Fé (Tuscarora Nation, USA) – Singer-songwriter and activist who weaves Native American traditions with Americana.
- Haruka Fujii (Japan) – Internationally acclaimed percussionist and marimbist that specializes in contemporary compositions.
- Maeve Gilchrist (Scotland) – Harpist and composer who mixes Celtic folk with jazz, expanding the instrument’s expressive range.
- Karen Ouzounian (Canada/Armenia) – Cellist with a focus on collaboration and contemporary works.
- Layale Chaker (Lebanon) – Violinist and composer who fuses Arabic Maqam with jazz and contemporary classical elements.
- Mazz Swift (USA) – Violinist and composer that brings together African American musical traditions, electronica, and improvisation.
By amplifying underrepresented voices, Uplifted Voices offers a fresh perspective on musical heritage and innovation, redefining the boundaries of tradition and modernity.
March 28 — Seattle, WA — Meany Center for the Performing Arts
March 29 — Port Angeles, WA — Field Arts & Events Hall
March 30 — Vancouver, BC — The Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
April 1 — Portland, OR — Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall
April 3 — Carmel, CA — Sunset Cultural Center
April 4 — Livermore, CA — Livermore Valley Performing Arts Center
April 6 — Tucson, AZ — Centennial Hall
Author: World Music Central News Room
World music news from the editors at World Music Central