One of the most exciting new projects to step out of the Arab world, Alif Ensemble brings together musicians from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Egypt and Iraq in a beguiling blend of inspiring acoustic and contemporary electronic sounds.
Conceived by multi-talented oud player Khyam Allami, Alif Ensemble sees him team up with two of the most inventive and independent Arabic musicians; Palestinian composer and vocalist Tamer Abu Ghazaleh and Egyptian electronica musician Maurice Louca. Together they work on new music with a band of musicians from both traditional and contemporary Arabic music disciplines, including Ayman Mabrouk (Egypt) on percussion, Khaled Yassine (Lebanon) on percussion, Khaled Omran (Syria) on bass and Yarob Smarait (Jordan) on violin.
"Alif Ensemble proved themselves nothing less than revelatory" The Double Negative (on the group's premier at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on 15 July 2012)
"[Khyam Allami] epitomises the best of the new generation of oud players... utterly bewitching" Songlines
“Khyam Allami has left a trail of unforgettable live performances in his wake” Froots
Asia Stage, BT River of Music Festival
Battersea Park, London
Alif Ensemble will perform at 15:55
For full festival line-up and stage times: www.btriverofmusic.com/lineup.pdf
The event is free but ticketed (£3 booking fee). Please order your tickets online from: http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/event/35004899C2719829
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http://www.btriverofmusic.com/artist/alif-ensemble1
Here are some teasers and samples from Alif Ensemble's music:
For more info about Alif Ensemble: