Purchase Tickets Today!
Be a part of a memorable event...
Benefit Concert for SESOBEL
Simon Shaheen & Qantara Ensemble
December 5, 2009
Saturday 8:00pm
Sts. Peter & Paul Church (Map)
10620 River Road, Potomac, Md
December 5, 2009
Saturday 8:00pm
Sts. Peter & Paul Church (Map)
10620 River Road, Potomac, Md
Simon Shaheen, who has earned international acclaim as a virtuoso on the ‘oud and violin, is one of the most significant Arab musicians, performers, and composers of his generation. “Learning to play on the ‘oud from my father was the most powerful influence in my musical life”, states Shaheen. He began playing on the ‘oud at the age of five, and a year later began studying violin. Shaheen recalls, “When I held and played these instruments, they felt like an extension of my arms.”
His work draws from a rich legacy of Arabic music, and has evolved into a unique style that incorporates various old world instruments with a new musical flair which blends and unifies the East and West. The ensemble, Qantara, whose name translates as "arch,” began in 1995 and is Shaheen’s vehicle to explore the unbridled fusion of Arab, jazz, Western classical, and Latin American music. "I want to create world music exceptionally satisfying to the ear and for the soul," says Shaheen, "This is why I selected members for Qantara who are all virtuosos in their own musical forms, (Bassam Saba,nay and flute; Petar Slavov, bass; Matt Kilmer, percussion; and Najib Shaheen, oud ), whose expertise and knowledge can raise the music and the group's performance to spectacular levels." As a result, their music transcends the boundaries of genre and geography. Shaheen and his ensemble, Qantara, have been nominated for eleven Grammy awards for their album, Blue Flame. (read more...)
Middle Eastern Instruments: Oud and Nay (information)
His work draws from a rich legacy of Arabic music, and has evolved into a unique style that incorporates various old world instruments with a new musical flair which blends and unifies the East and West. The ensemble, Qantara, whose name translates as "arch,” began in 1995 and is Shaheen’s vehicle to explore the unbridled fusion of Arab, jazz, Western classical, and Latin American music. "I want to create world music exceptionally satisfying to the ear and for the soul," says Shaheen, "This is why I selected members for Qantara who are all virtuosos in their own musical forms, (Bassam Saba,nay and flute; Petar Slavov, bass; Matt Kilmer, percussion; and Najib Shaheen, oud ), whose expertise and knowledge can raise the music and the group's performance to spectacular levels." As a result, their music transcends the boundaries of genre and geography. Shaheen and his ensemble, Qantara, have been nominated for eleven Grammy awards for their album, Blue Flame. (read more...)
Middle Eastern Instruments: Oud and Nay (information)
Come experience a magnificent performance by these internationally renowned musicians,
while supporting a noble cause…