aswat - Zawaya

ASWAT
Proudly Presents
ASWAT
Winter Concert
Classical and Folkloric Arabic Music
Directed by Wael Kakish
Featuring:
Guest Vocalist and Musician, Noureddine Kallel
Qanun player, Hatem Frikha
Violinist, Samy Shumays
Vocalist, Samara
ZAWAYA
311—41st Avenue
San Mateo, CA 94403
www.zawaya.org
email: info@zawaya.org
(650) 341-3697
Program Design by: Fayeq Oweis - www.oweis.com
Copyright © 2007 Zawaya.
Saturday December 1st, 2007
The College of San Mateo Theater
San Mateo, California
Dr. Fayeq Oweis
Celebrating his new book
Encyclopedia of Arab American Artists
Featuring 100 Arab American Artists
The rich history and culture of the Arab American
people is found in the passionate works of its artists.
Whether they be traditional media such as painting
and calligraphy, or more sophisticated media such
as digital work and installation, the pieces represent
the beauty of heritage, the struggles of growing up in
war-torn countries, the identity conflicts, and the
issues surrounding migration to a Western culture
very different from one's own. Many of the artists
included in the book, though their works appear in
museums and galleries throughout the world, have
never before been featured in a reference book.
For more information,
visit: www.oweis.com
To order,
visit www.greenwood.com, or call 1-800-225-5800.
You can also order it from amazon.com and other on-line retailers.
Law Office of
H. Edward Ballout
415-252-1234
balloutlaw.com
A Message from ZAWAYA President
Dear friends,
On behalf of Zawaya’s board of directors, I would like
to thank you for joining us tonight at ASWAT's Winter
Concert.
Zawaya, the umbrella organization for ASWAT, was
created to preserve, promote and present the Arab American rich cultural heritage through music and arts. Our
name "Zawaya" translates into "corners" or "aspects" hence
our mission, which celebrates all aspects of our culture.
One of our main goals is to help our Arab American
youth feel proud of their culture and get them involved
and active in our programs that focus on educational
and artistic workshops and events. Such involvement will
empower the youth, bring out their artistic talents and reinforce their commitment to serving the community.
ASWAT, our ensemble, is a place where our youth can
learn and enjoy the music, rediscover their identity and be
part of a lively diverse group that performs Arabic songs
and plays all kinds of different musical instruments for
the mere love of the art itself.
I need to thank all the wonderful volunteers for their
effort and time; it is their dedication that makes such
events sail smoothly and successfully.
By attending tonight's concert you have enabled us to
keep our mission alive and we are grateful. I do hope you
will enjoy the concert, and we will see you in all our future
events.
Fayeq Oweis, Ph.D.
ZAWAYA President
MUSIC PROGRAM PART 1
1. Wasla in maqam Ajam
!" Sama’i Mahur composed by Nicolai Efendi followed
by Taqsim on the Qanun by Bilel Bouraoui
!" Sama’i Ajam composed by Ali Darwish (Aleppo-Syria
1881-1952) followed by two muwashshahat:
Yaa Malikan – muwashshah by an unknown composer on 10/8 best rhythm featuring a vocal solo by
Jose Antonio. Aygadha al-Hubbu Fu'adi – muwashshah on 6/8 best rhythm composed by Bahjat Hassan
!" Mahla Nurha – taqtuqa composed by Sayyid Darwish
(Egypt 1892-1923)
2. Tallu Hbabna Tallu –Lebanese popular song by Wadi'
as-Safi featuring Barney Jones
3. Dulab Nahawand Murassa’ composed by Sami Shumays
followed by a taqsim on the Kaman
4. Uhibbuka Akthar – composed by Mercel Khalifa for
Umaima Khalil featuring Yasmeen Daifallah accompanied by
Wael Kakish on Oud.
5. Raqsat Bint al Arab - instrumental dance piece in maqam
Bayati
6. Iz-zar'i lakhdar ya wala – Egyptian folk song in maqam
Bayati featuring Faten Hellal, Rana Mruweh & Lana Khalaf
7. Hal Layla Hilwa – Traditional Iraqi song featuring Hussein
Dixon on Kaman, Lily Storm & Dennis Demakos on vocals
8. Yaa Reem Wadi Thaqif – Saudi song composed by Tarek
Abdel Hakim made famous by Hiyam Yunis in maqam Bayati
featuring Marwan Mero
9. Yaa Salat Ez-Zayn – Egyptian taqtuqa by Zakaria Ahmad
(1892-1962) in maqam Bayati
10. Qamar luh Layal – taqtuqa in maqam Rast composed by
Daoud Hussni featuring Samara
11. Deer il-Qadah – traditional love song in maqam Huzam
featuring Samara
San Francisco State University is establishing an Arab
and Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas Initiative (AMED)
The Initiative in Arab and Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas
(AMED) in the College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State
University began in the Spring semester of 2007. It is currently
spearheaded by Dr. Rabab Ibrahim Abdulhadi, who was the first
director of the Center for Arab American Studies at the University
of Michigan-Dearborn. While AMED is in its preliminary phases,
its vision is limitless. Dr. Abdulhadi and a team of research associates and leading community members are working to develop
the initiative’s programs.
AMED’s unique vision is framed within the field of Ethnic
Studies and is committed to providing a justice-centered analysis
in which gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, citizenship, ability, and
other structural inequalities are integral to the study of Arab and
Muslim communities. This is a departure from the dominant trend
in Arab and Muslim Studies as the study of communities that are
foreign or located in a confined geographical area, rather than as
communities of color within the US, in the Americas, and transnationally across other Diasporas. Furthermore, AMED remains
rooted in its communities as it is committed to a vision of reciprocity and strong collaboration between university and nonuniversity communities.
The Initiative’s priority is to create a minor in Arab and Muslim Ethncities and Diasporas, geared towards not only the development of a major, but also the revamping of the current Masters
in Ethnic Studies to effect the experiences of Arab and Muslim
communities.
For more information please contact:
Arab and Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas Initiative
College of Ethnic Studies
San Francisco State University
Phone: (415) 405-2668 Fax: (415) 405-2573
Email: amed@sfsu.edu
MUSIC PROGRAM PART 2
1.
Wasla in maqam Rast
Featuring Aswat’s Tunisian Guest Artists
Nourideen Kellal & Hatem Frikha
!" Sama’i Rast composed by Tatyous Efendi (1855-1913)
!"
Middle Eastern Food
The Best Falafel in Town!
Serving the Bay Area
Since 1984
Two Locations to Serve You:
2115 Irving Street
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 664-8210
2456 Bancroft Way
Berkeley, CA 94704
(510) 845-9400
Taqsim on the Qanun by Hatem Frikha
!" A set of Muwashshahat composed by Sayyid
Darwish (1892-1923) starts with Ahinnu
Shawqan: muwashshah on 4/4 beat (Wihda
Kabira), Sihtu Wajdan: muwashshah on 7/8 beat
(Dore Hindi) & Yaa Shadi Al Alhan: muwashshah
on 8/4 beat (Masmoudi)
!" Hayrana Leh – taqtuqa in maqam rast composed
by Daoud Hussni (1870-1937) ; starts with a
taqsim on the Oud by Ala Kellal followed by a
Mawwal by Nourideen Kellal
2. 'indama ya'ti al-masa – qasida composed by M. Abdel
Wahab (1907-1991)
3. Lammuni illi Gharu minni -compsoed by Hadi al-Juwayni
in maqam Kurd
4. Traditional Tunisian Songs made famous by Saliha,
starts with Mrid Fani composed by Saleh El Mahdi in
maqam Mazmoum, 'urDouni zouz Sbaya (unknown composer) in maqam Mazmoum and Khali Baddalni
(unknown composer) in maqam Muhayyer Iraq
5. Samaah an-Nubah – a folk medley from Upper Egypt
featuring Ling Shien Bell on Mizmar, Mark Bell on Tabl
Baladi, & Samy Shumays on Egyptian Rababa
ZAWAYA is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving,
promoting and presenting Arab American’s rich cultural heritage through music and arts. Our name “ZAWAYA” translates
as “aspects” or “corners” and our mission is to celebrate and
promote all aspects of our rich Arab heritage. ZAWAYA is a
tax-exempt, tax-deductible organization with 501(C)3 status.
ZAWAYA was established in 2003 by a group of Arabs and
Americans in the Bay Area to promote the public expression
of Arab art and culture. By providing a forum for exhibiting
all forms of Arab culture, we strive to provide an understanding of this rich heritage. ZAWAYA also sponsors ASWAT, the
only Bay Area Arab community choir, which has been
promoting Arabic music for seven years.
ZAWAYA Executive Committee:
Dr. Fayeq Oweis, President
Duraid Musleh, Vice-President
Inas Elmashni, Secretary
Board Members:
Haya Shawa Benhalim
Margaret Coyne
Nabila Mango
Maher Sabry
Shahdan Shazly
Dr. Lucia Volk
For more information, visit our web site at www.zawaya.org
Unlike previously published books on Palestinian
embroidery, this book is perhaps the first to
document by origin all the different motifs used
on traditional costumes.
ASWAT Ensemble was founded in San Francisco in January
2000. The founder, Nabila Mango, is a Palestinian American,
who is tremendously dedicated and active in the Bay Area
community, took the initiative to create this family for the
mere love of Arabic Music. The family grew, but the motive
stayed the same. It is to enjoy the music, enhance the pride in
Arabic Heritage and to introduce the beauty of that heritage
to all neighbors in the community. ASWAT is a community
ensemble for classical and folk Arabic music. It performs
Muwashshahaat (Arabic poetry, sung in the tradition of
al-andalus, Spain) as well as traditional and contemporary
songs from the Arab World. It features a talented group of
musicians playing the Oud, Qanun, Violin, Daff, and Tabla.
Over the past seven years, Aswat has achieved a professional
level of competence and has made appearances in numerous
colleges, universities, festivals and conferences in the Bay Area
and Seattle, including the Golden Gate Science Academy.
ASWAT welcomes anyone who is interested or even curious
about Arabic music. To support ASWAT with your presence,
membership or encouragement is the most worthwhile step
towards raising awareness of the rich Arab Heritage and culture through the beauty of its music. Contact ASWAT
at: aswat02@hotmail.com, or visit ASWAT at http://
www.myspace.com/ensembleaswat
Wael Kakish, Artistic Director
Nabila Mango, Founder and Administrative Director
Barney Jones, Voice Teacher
Lana Khalaf, Arabic Language Teacher
Jose-Antonio Nasser, Internet Administrator
About the Music & the Instruments
By Wael Kakish
Aswat Ensemble performs classical and folk songs from various Arab countries. The group plays traditional musical instruments such as the qanun
(zither), ‘ud (lute), nay (reed flute), kaman (violin), riqq (tambourine) and
darabukkah (goblet drum). The programs feature a number of waslat
(suites) using different maqamat (modes). The wasla (suite) starts with an
instrumental introduction, taqsim (improvisation), mawwal (vocal improvisation) and a medley of songs performed by the chorus and solo vocalists.
The performances include muwashshahat, a form of poetic songs, which
started around the ninth century in Arab Spain. The muwashshahat performed by the group are the ones encountered in Egypt, Syria and Lebanon. This form of muwashshahat is different from the Nuba and the Ma’luf
of North Africa. The ones encountered in the Middle East evolved from a
certain form of poetry that has three to four lines. The first line is called
dore 1, the second dore 2, the third khana (where partial or full modulation
to a different maqam or rhythm might occur) and finally the qafla, which
means closing. In addition to muwashshahat, the group performs songs of
major artists of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries such as Muhammad ‘Uthman, Sayyid Darwish, Abdo Al Hamuli, M. Abdel Wahab, Um
Kalthum, Farid Al Atrash, Asmahan, Fairuz and many others. The group
also includes folk and popular songs from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt,
Iraq, and the Arabian Gulf.
GLOSSARY:
Atifi – romantic song
Bendir - frame drum
Debke – line-dance song
Darabukka - goblet shape hand drum
Layali- a solo vocal form whose text consists of "ya layl ya 'ayn"
Maqam - mode / modal scale
Mawwal – vocal improvisation
Muwashshah –sung poetry in the tradition of Arab-Spain.
Nay - reed flute
Qadim – old (unknown composer)
Qasidah- a poem set to music consisting of 10-25 or more lines of poetry
Riqq – fish skin tambourine
Sama’i – instrumental composition consists of four sections
(khanaat) and a refrain (taslim) set on 10/8 beat
Taqsim – instrumental improvisation
Wasla - suite or medley of music and songs on a selected maqam.
‘Ud - Arabic style fretless lute
Samaah an-Nubah
When can I visit you?
I live far away, but my heart is with you.
Oh graceful as a palm frond,
lean my way and greet me.
The fire of love has burned me
and the doctor can do nothing.
Featured Artists:
Wael Kakish
ASWAT’s director since January 2007, Wael Kakish is the
long-time director of Kan Zaman in Southern California. Kakish has directed performances in numerous venues and has
taught at various universities, art centers, and music camps.
Kakish has training in both Arabic and Western music at universities in Jordan and the United States. He began public
performances in childhood when he was taught by his father,
a musician and ‘Oud player.
Noureddine Kallel
Mr. Noureddine Kallel is a renowned singer and musician in
Tunisia and throughout the Arab world. For over 40 years he
has been the ambassador of folk Arab music in Tunisia and
overseas. From 1970 to 1972, he was leading University of
Tunis’ musical group, then he moved to Paris, to pursue his
love for music academically and studied at the “Ecole Normale de Musique.” In 1981, he founded the Television series
“Tarab wa Iktishef” with the very famous ‘oud musician Mr.
Ali Sriti. In 1982, he founded the “Farabi” group to revive,
celebrate and preserve Classic Arabic music.
Lammuni illi Gharu minni
To those who rebuke me out of jealousy,
I reply “see her through my eyes”
I am charmed just by a sidelong glance of hers.
To her I am an Adam, as she is my Eve.
Hatem Frikha
Born in Sfax, Tunisia, disciple of Nouri Rbaii and Maestro Ali
Sriti. In 1997 and at the early age of 14, he graduated from
the music institute of Sfax with the highest honors, making
him the youngest Qanun player in Tunisia. In 2001, Hatem
won best Qanun player in the Arab World at the international competition in Algeria. He performed around the
world and participated in the Arab Musical Festival in Cairo
in 1999, the International Music Festival in Belford in 2000,
and at the Grand Opening of El Medina Music Festival in
Tunis. He also founded Saltana orchestra musical group.
Samara Atlas
Egyptian singer Samara started her career in the U.S. in 1984
at the Royal Morocco in San Jose, where Sami Khoury discovered her talent and provided her with musical training.
She has worked with Qanun player Mamdouh Qubtan and
oud player Nizar Khawaja. It was Qanun player Jony Tharwat who persuaded her to switch from light songs to the
more serious Tarab singing style. Samara has performed in
many cities in the U.S. and Mexico. She now lives in San Francisco.
Sami Shumays
Sami Shumays, violinist, composer, educator, was born in the
United States and trained in classical western music and ethnomusicology at Harvard and CUNY. He sought immersion
in Arab musical culture through study in Cairo and Aleppo.
He has performed and taught in venues throughout the U.S.,
conducted workshops and classes for youth, and works as a
film studio musician. He emphasizes the melodic vocabulary
of maqam. Sami lives in New York.
Qamar luh Layal
You are like the moon when it illuminates the sky.
Stay like that and do not go away.
My heart will suffer if you disappear.
Yasmeen Daifallah
Yasmeen Daifallah is from Egypt and she is a doctoral student
in political science at UC Berkley.
Marwan Mero
Marwan Mero is from Saudi Arabia and currently he is a student at San Francisco State University.
Hayrana Leh
Why be so dismayed? Is my melting heart different than yours?
I have been captivated since the day I first saw you,
so have pity on your admirer
and fulfill my dreams.
ASWAT Ensemble
Wael Kakish - Artistic Director
Nabila Mango - Founder & Administrative Director
Instrumentalists:
Muhammad Arrabi (Nay)
Ling Shien Bell (Mizmar)
Mark Bell (Percussion, Tabl Baladi)
Bilel Bouraoui (Qanun)
Loay Dahbour (Percussion)
Hussain Dixon ( Violin)
Greg Hamburg (‘oud)
Sandy Hollister (Percussion)
Wael Kakish (Buzuq, ‘Oud)
‘Ala Kallel (‘Oud)
Angela Ramsey (Violin)
Sara Salzmann (Violin)
Hannah Sarvasy (Cello)
Faisal Zedan (Percussion)
Vocalists
Yaa Shadi Al Alhan
I long to the place where I first saw
the beauty of my beloved.
Sing out the melodies and let the lutes ring out too,
and stir the hearts of all the revelers here.
The beauty of my companion’s face
overwhelms me.
Iyad Abuhajjaj
Samir Ali
Samara Atlas
Ling Shien Bell
Yasmeen Daifallah
Dennis Demakos
Amina Goodyear
Faten Hellal
Barney Jones
Lana Khalaf
Nabila Mango
Marwan Mero
Rana Mroue
Hajem al-Mukdad
Jose-Antonio Nasser
Vitrae Nune
Lily Storm
Acknowledgments
Afnan Dallasheh- Media Publicity/ Ticket Sales
Arab Cultural and Community Center SF- Promotion
Arab-American Cultural Center of Silicon Valley - Promotion
Arab Film Festival-Promotion
Arab Resource and Organizing Center- Promotion
Casa Mango- Stage Design
College of San Mateo
Danny Frier -Lyrics Translation
Faten Helal- Card Design
KPFA- Promotion
Samer El -Bandak - Promotion
Marty Atkinson- Sound Engineer
Middle East Children Alliance-Promotion
NAAP-Northern California-Promotion
AUB-Bay Area Alumni Association-Promotion
ZAWAYA and ASWAT
would also like to thank
all the volunteers
without whom this concert would not be possible.
Yaa Reem Wadi Thaqif
Oh graceful as a gazelle,
there’s nothing compares to you.
It is your company and your kiss I crave,
so don’t be a stranger.
Your fine body is the cure for
what ails me,
so don’t deprive and disappoint me.
Iz-zar'i lakhdar ya wala
I have been sleepless with joy since my sweetheart showed his affection
by presenting me with a flower as a token, out in the fields.
Now that we have
declared our love, and he is asking our parents’
approval, I can’t wait to serve sweet celebration drinks.
Hal Layla Hilwa
Such a sweet beautiful night. Oh moon find my beloved,
and star see if they are awake.
Others teeth are dull as bone, but my love’s teeth are like pearl.
I lie here counting stars, thinking of my sweetheart
sleeping, How could my heart possibly rest?
Yaa Malikan Minni Fu’adi
This night stretches out so long,
over yearning for you.
Please stop denying my affections,
it is only you I long for,
only you can relieve
my heart.
Til’it Yaa Mahla Nurha
On a beautiful village morning with a perfect sunrise
and fresh water-buffalo milk, the handsomely
tanned flirtatious lad gives the girl
jasmine blossom and asks her for a song.
Aygadha al-Hubbu Fu'adi
Love has awoken my heart after it had
despaired of passion.
This happened despite myself but is
real to my very bones.
This turmoil of requiting my feelings
may bring rebuke, but being separated
from you is like death, my love, my perfect one.
Tallu Hbabna Tallu
Our friends have come to stroll with us by the shaded brook,
along the forest paths, at the well.
We are inspiration for the songbirds’ melody.
As the meadow flowers call to us, we answer the dawn
with tales of new love.