The Cedar Presents
THE ARAB BLUES with Amwaaj
Friday, October 18, 2024/ Doors: 7:00 PM / Show: 8:00 PM
All Ages
Seated
$18 Advance, $23 Day of Show
This is a seated show with general admission, first-come-first-served seating. The Cedar is happy to reserve seats for patrons who require special seating accommodations. To request access accommodations, please go to our Access page.
For Cedar presented shows, online ticket sales typically end one hour before the door time, and then, based on availability, tickets will be available at the door.
LISTEN
Live at Constellation (electric & acoustic) Video courtesy of The Arab Blues's Official Youtube Channel.
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Rami Gabriel & Karim Nagi (aka: The Arab Blues) create an electro urban amalgam of Arab tradition and Chicago Blues. They employ historical and contemporary instruments to reinterpret forms, melodies and rhythms. The result is an original expression of immigrant artistry with passionate musicality and revolutionary attitude.
"..a sound that's sometimes graceful, sometimes noisy, like a Middle Eastern garage band." - Chicago Reader
THE ARAB BLUES
The Arab Blues traces a trajectory between tradition and innovation. They embody the call of tradition and the response of the diaspora. The synthesis Rami Gabriel and Karim Nagi create is an auditory expression of the power and persistence of tradition and the validity of its transformation under the unique cultural conditions we inhabit. The Arab Blues was developed by Lebanese-Egyptian oud and guitar player Rami Gabriel through a research fellowship at the Center for Black Music Research, two Illinois Artist grants, and a decade of experience as a jazz and blues musician in Chicago. Native Egyptian percussionist Karim Nagi, a 2-time beneficiary of the Doris Duke Building Bridges grant for Muslim Artists, a TEDx speaker, and an accomplished teacher completes this duo with his energetic & lyrical rhythms on Riqq, Tublah, and alternatively assembled drum set.
To learn more about The Arab Blues:
Amwaaj
Amwaaj is a Minnesota-based ensemble performing classical, folk and modern music of the Arab world on traditional instruments including oud, violin, nay, buzuq, riqq, and darbuka (the Egyptian tabla). The group is dedicated to sharing the beauty of traditional Arab music with a wide range of audiences to encourage curiosity and appreciation of the rich tonal and rhythmic language of this Arab artform. Originally formed in 2003, Amwaaj has performed for numerous community festivals, weddings, and dance performances. Members of Amwaaj opening this special show are: Laura Harada, violin; Yaron Klein, oud & violin; and Tim O’Keefe, riqq, tabla, and buzuq. In this concert, we will be joined by guest musician Rana Rishmawi, qanun.
To learn more about Amwaaj: