In its 18th edition under the slogan “The Future Starts Now”, Abu Dhabi Festival 2021 presents a virtual premier performance by award-winning composer and jazz pianist, Tarek Yamani. Premiered on the 27th October, the talented musician will perform with the multi-Grammy-nominated Chicago-based ensemble Spektral Quartet, as part of special commissions and co-productions with the University Musical Society of the University of Michigan (UMS).
This musical performance is part of UMS’ initiative “Digital Artist Residencies” taking place in Michigan, USA, which aims to connect artists with the audience in new and innovative ways from creative development, behind the scenes to final performances, some of which will be presented virtually, while others will be performed live.
H.E. Huda I. Alkhamis, Founder of Abu Dhabi Music & Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and Founder and Artistic Director, Abu Dhabi Festival said: “Our partnership with the University Musical Society of the University of Michigan is part of Abu Dhabi Festival’s long tradition of inspiring cultural dialogue and breaking new artistic ground. In Tarek Yamani’s unique creative collaboration with Spektral Quartet, his use of the Arabic Maqam musical scale system is historic. It marks the first time in the University Musical Society’s history that the Arabic maqam has been used to compose and play western classical music. Tarek Yamani returns to the Festival after he ingeniously blended Khaleeji music and jazz in 2017, continuing Abu Dhabi Festival’s mission to strengthen the bonds between cultures and musical traditions.”
Yamani’s collaboration with Spektral Quartet explores the beauty of Western classic and jazz in combination with Arabic traditional music and takes the audience on a journey of improvisation, bridging together Western traditions and Arabian diaspora. There will be four performances including: Berytus, Sabaean Wonder, New Dabke and Sky Lines Ahead.
The artists will also connect with the audience at different stages of the virtual performance, including students, faculty members and the public through a series of chats, interactive experiences and discussion about the creative process and other activities.
New York-based Yamani is the recipient of the prestigious Thelonious Monk Award in 2011, which helped launch his global career. Following the commission by the Abu Dhabi Festival, Yamani went on to research and write new music based on largely unexplored rhythms of the Arabian Peninsula. The new work entitled Peninsular was his third record after Lisan Al Tarab in 2014 and Ashur in 2012. His latest release is an experimental exploration of gulf music traced back to African origins dating back to the days of slave trading, allowing a crossing point with African American music from which he began his research and composition.
His passion for jazz music also drove him to establish the Beirut Speaks Jazz platform to establish this genre in Lebanon through artistic collaborations where Rock, Hip Hop, Tarab, Pop and Blues artists meet.
For more information, visit Abu Dhabi Festival’s website: https://bit.ly/2SgFoZ4, and its digital platforms on: Facebook (abudhabifestival), Twitter (@abudhabi_fest), and Instagram (@abudhabifestival).
Abu Dhabi Festival is supported by its Lead Partner Mubadala Investment Company (Mubadala) and Energy Partner GS Energy.
