Music & Arts, Page 53

Kan Zaman Concert Marks Ensemble’s 15th Year

Zahra wins a standing ovation during the Nov. 21 concert of Wael Kakish’s Kan Zaman Community Ensemble. (Staff Photo S. Twair)

CURIOUS Pasadenans gathered around the city’s Armory Arts Center on Nov. 21 to learn more about the cheering audience and foot-stomping sounds, not to mention the exotic Middle Eastern music emanating from the building. The occasion was the 15th anniversary concert of the Kan Zaman Community Ensemble.

Wael Kakish has led a dedicated band of musicians in performing classical, contemporary and folk Arabic music since 1994. Special guest artists for this anniversary concert were vocalist Zahra and oud-playing and singing artists Saadoun al-Bayati and Moussa Ghattas.

Crowd pleasers were the contemporary Tunisian song “Lamuni ”˜elli gharu minni,” featuring Chakib Lahlou on the oud, and the Lebanese song “Indak Bahriyeh ya Rayiss,” featuring Tony Nicola on the violin.

Another favorite was a wasla [melody] of traditional Iraqi songs by al-Bayati, accompanied by his daughter, Sumar. Tradition was upheld in “Lamma bada yatathanna,” an 1850s Egyptian muwashshah in a (10/8) sama’i beat.

Maestro Kakish is to be saluted for his economic struggles to keep Arab folkloric music alive in Los Angeles. For more information, please visit <www.kanzaman.org>.

—Samir Twair