The Qadim Ensemble, based in Berkeley, celebrates the synthesis of the music and cultures of the Middle East, blending Arabic, Turkish Sufi, Hebrew-Yemenite, Armenian, Greek, Ladino (ancient Judeo-Spanish), and Moroccan modes, motives, and rhythms. 7 on Billboard’s World Music charts, and presented a blend from around the Middle East. Those journeys are revealed more than ever on their newest recording (their third), Open the Gates, released in January, which celebrates their mutual Jewish Middle Eastern heritage. “I heard a recording of a Turkish ney player, the Middle Eastern [end-blown] reed flute, and it blew me away,” he exclaimed. She explained that they are flexible within those genres — they might use a Persian instrument in a Middle Eastern piece.

Source: The North Africa Journal February 04, 2020 02:03 UTC