Maverick Concerts continues to electrify and enlighten our musical senses as they embark on a new century of music and an increasingly innovative JAZZ series.
Saturday | July 16 | 8 pm
New Century, New Voices I
Amir ElSaffar and the Two Rivers Ensemble
This weekend: Saturday, July 16 at 8 pm, Amir ElSaffar and the Two Rivers Ensemble will perform Crisis, a fusion of native Middle Eastern maqam tradition and innovative modern jazz improvisation.
Published on Jul 9, 2015 This piece was commissioned by the Newport Jazz Festival.
ElSaffar composed the Crisis suite in 2013, after living in Egypt where he witnessed the Arab Spring protests and in Lebanon, where he worked with Syrian musicians in a country torn apart by a devastating civil war. The suite is a commentary on the recent history of Iraq and the Middle East. Based on the melodic modes of the maqam and folkloric rhythms, the music is passionate and ecstatic. ElSaffar’s virtuoso trumpet playing is firmly rooted in the jazz tradition, playing a taqsim (melodic improvisation) in an authentic Arab style, with a sound that is reminiscent of the reed flute.
Crisis is ElSaffar’s reflection on a region in turmoil and strife: revolution, civil war and sectarian violence, a culture’s struggle for survival. The suite, commissioned by the Newport Jazz Festival (2013), made a deep emotional connection with the audience and received a rousing standing ovation.
For more information about Maverick Concerts JAZZ series go here
The musical weekend continues at the Maverick Concert Hall with their tradition of Sunday afternoon chamber music:
Sunday | July 17 | 4 pm
Horszowski Trio
New Century, New Voices II
Schumann: Piano Trio No. 2 in F, Op. 80
Joan Tower: For Daniel (2004)
Beethoven: Piano Trio No. 7 in B-flat, Op. 97
(“Archduke”)
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