From Iran to Afghanistan to Kolkata by way of Miami, this night pays homage to ensemble leaders whose musical influences and ancestry reach to the Central and South Asian continent while finding convergent roots in the American landscape. Drawing its title from a phrase in Rumi's poetry, the night features singer and poet Haleh Liza setting her critically-acclaimed translations of Rumi's work along with her poetry to a soundscape of chamber and Indian classical music. Trina Basu with her partner Arun Ramamurthy present a unique Carnatic violin duo set that is at once deeply within Carnatic tradition and experimentally conversant with jazz and new music forms. Our night closes out with a dance party featuring Afghan DJ Yeldā Ali whose community-building DJ sets tell stories of her homeland.
Featured Artists:
Negin Khpalwak
Trina Basu & Arun Ramamurthy
Haleh Liza Gafori
Yeldā Ali
Negin Khpalwak was the first Afghan female conductor in Afghan history conducting the Zohra Orchestra, the first all women orchestra in Afghan history. She is a graduate of the Afghanistan National Institute of Music (ANIM) having played piano as well as participating as the first female Afghan sarod played in the Afghan Youth Orchestra. Between 2017-2019, she toured the UK, Europe, and India with the Zohra Orchestra including playing at the World Economic Forum in Davos. She is the recipient of the Human Spirit Award (2016), the Big Ben Award (2019), and the Freemuse Award (2019). She now resides in the United States and is pursuing further education in conducting and piano performance.
Trina Basu and Arun Ramamurthy are deeply rooted in traditions of South Indian classical music, Western chamber music, and jazz. (Joined by percussionist Dan Kurfirst TBD), they will be performing original music from their forthcoming album, "Nakshatra". Rooted in traditions of South Indian classical music, Western chamber music, and jazz, the duo is uniquely positioned to create a sound that feels ancient, orchestral, and contemporary or as The New Yorker put it “free-flowing and globe-spanning.” Combined with the duo’s fluency in improvisation, there is a clear architecture to their sound that still gives space for the two violins to be delightfully indiscernible and shine individually. Their debut album, Nakshatra, the Sanskrit word for constellation, is a profound exploration of this dance between a collective and singular sound, bursting with energy, playfulness, and a cosmic gravitas. www.trinabasu.com/nakshatra
Haleh Liza Gafori is a vocalist, translator, poet, and educator born in NYC of Persian descent. For almost two decades she has maintained and deepened her connection to her roots through singing and translating the poetry of various Persian poets. Her translations of poetry by the 13th century sage Rumi, entitled “Gold,” will be published by New York Review Books on March 8, 2022. Sharing her passion for the expansive, compassionate, and ecstatic nature of Rumi's poetry, she has performed and taught at universities, festivals, and venues across the country, including Dartmouth University, Omega Institute, and Lincoln Center. With past projects Haale and The Mast, she has performed at the Bonnaroo Festival, One Note at Carnegie Hall, and University of NC at Chapel Hill. www.halehliza.com
Yeldā Ali is an Afghan DJ, community builder, and storyteller. She started DJing in 2012, and Yeldā's passion for music has since taken her around the world, performing at Fashion Weeks, NYE ball drops alongside Lil’ Kim, on festival bills with Stormzy, and at charity events for Beyoncé and A$AP Ferg to name a few. From art galas and auctions to kid's camps and skating events, Yeldā loves to bridge music and activism. In recent times, Yeldā has used the craft to raise funds and awareness to the crisis in her homeland, Afghanistan. www.yeldaali.com