Amir Vahab and Soroosh Ensemble

Concert of Persian-Turkish Folk & Sufi Music

Amir Vahab & Ensemble with Guest Artists

The New York Times calls him the "ambassador for a silenced music."

Amir Alan Vahab is one of New York’s most celebrated and distinguished composers / vocalists of Persian sacred and folk music. He sings in the traditional Persian style, which embodies millennia of the theoretical and mystical traditions of the ancient land of Iran. He has spent more than three decades perfecting his skills under the instruction of some of the most renowned and legendary masters of Persian music.

In his work, Amir Vahab tries first of all to illustrate the beauty of Iranian traditional music, which he believes is part of the global heritage, and needs to be both taught and preserved. Secondly, he has also attempted to take new approaches to traditional works in order to attract the young generation of music enthusiasts - a venture which has proven most successful.

Amir Vahab is currently studying western music and researching ethnomusicology. By becoming familiar with western music and the works of major composers and performers, he aims to enhance his own works and creations. Amir feels a dialogue between civilizations is emerging in his work, which allows a comparative perspective between Middle Eastern and Western music traditions, both classic and modern. Amir Vahab believes that the possibility of cross-fertilization exists, from which both traditions can benefit.

Amir Vahab and his Ensemble will perform songs selected from the poetry of the great Sufi Masters Rumi, Hafez, Yunus Emre as well as folkloric songs from different parts of Iran, Turkey and Azerbaijan. The lively folk and traditional music featuring the etherial sounding Ney (mystical reed flute), Oud/Ud (the short neck lute), Tanbur (ancient three-stringed long-necked lute), Saz(seven-stringed long neck lute), Daf/Def (large frame drum associated with Sufi rituals), Dohol/Davul (Double-headed folk drum used most often in celebrations) and Tombak (Persian goblet drum). The concert concludes with a dynamic drumming performance that echoes the universal heartbeat of existence.

Tickets: $10