If you look up the word ‘arabicana’ you find a music genre and its inventors; NO blues. They called their unique mix of Americana (folk, blues and country) and Arabic music; ‘Arabicana’. Even after ten years the band that combines Oriental roots music and American folk blues is still unique in the world. What started as experiment became a full blown musical genre.

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NO blues bridges the gap between east and west and changes the Nile and the Mississippi in one meandering musical delta. Even though the band has been together for ten years, there sound is always direct and fresh. Oud player Haytham Safia: “We go back to the core of guitar, oud, double bass and percussion.” NO blues chooses to use current events as topics for their songs. Songs like Exodus and The World Keeps Turning refer to people that seek refuge and Two Trains and Gods Move refer to religious themes.

The bass player Anne-Maarten van Heuvelen says “NO blues has always been a political statement in music, we had to follow that up with our lyrics.” Guitarist Ad van Meurs: ”We’ve never been a political band, but we definitely don’t look the other way either.”

Credits

Haytham Safia - U'd & zang

Anne-Maarten van Heuvelen - Contrabas & zang

Osama Meleegi - Percussie en zang

Janos Keulen - Gitaar & zang

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During this preview at the Erasmuspark in Amsterdam, different ud players, together with musicians from the Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra, takes you on a journey through the rich sounds and melodies of this extraordinary instrument; the ud. The afternoon will be framed by Luan Buleshkaj, a word artist, an established name in the spoken word scene in the Netherlands. Luan is known for his puns, rhythm and powerful recitation.

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12.30-12.45 Spoken word by Luan Buleshkaj

12.45-13.30 Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra

13.30-13.45 Spoken word by Luan Buleshkaj

14.00-14.45 Nizar Rohana, Tony Overwater and Ruven Ruppik

14.45-15.00 Spoken word by Luan Buleshkaj

15.30-16.15 Nawras Altaky and Oene van Geel

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Admission is free

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During this preview at the Muze van Zuid music festival, ud player Hamza Amrani, together with musicians from the Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra, take you on a journey through the rich sounds and melodies of music from Al-Andalus. Listen to the music that was heard in cities such as Cordoba, Granada and Seville during the 12th century. This music is still played in the Maghreb to this day.

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About the Muze van Zuid music festival

From September 11-15, Muze van Zuid will once again transform the streets, squares, parks, private houses and monuments of Amsterdam South into a lively stage for top musicians with the support of residents, from the Renaissance to the present. The Muze van Zuid Foundation has existed for 10 years. Concertzender has been broadcasting for 40 years, Camerata Trajectina has been presenting the musical heritage of the Netherlands for 50 years. The festival takes part in the celebration of 750 years of Amsterdam. There is a lot to celebrate this edition!

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About Hamza Amrani

Hamza is a talented oud player who is becoming increasingly known in Europe for his virtuosity. With a deep passion for Moroccan, Arabic and Andalusian music, Hamza colors today's music scene.

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Noor

During Noor you will enjoy musicians from Iran, Turkey, Palestine, and Morocco in collaboration with Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra, Tony Overwater and Nizar Rohana. Each musician contributes with their own compositions, in which improvisation plays an important role. This results in a rich mix of musical influences, while preserving the unique background of each musician.

For the UD festival 2024, Palestinian oud player Nizar Rohana and bassist Tony Overwater have once again selected a number of exceptional musicians, including Iranian tar player Khorshid Dadbeh, Turkish kemençe player Emine Bostancı, and Moroccan qanun player Ahmed al Maai.

Narrator Sahand Sahebdivani creates a connection with his stories by placing the music in a theatrical context. 

The Journey of the Oud

The oud has traveled a long journey. Originally from Mesopotamia 5000 years ago, this instrument has spread all over the world and remains central in Arabic music. Just as every musician in Europe plays a bit of guitar or piano, in the countries south of the Mediterranean, people play the oud. In the Middle Ages, the oud was the instrument from which both the lute and the guitar originated, later taking a central place in Western music.

The Noor Ensemble, an initiative of the Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra and the Tonality Foundation, brings together musicians from Iran, Turkey, Palestine, and Morocco.

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“Sometimes you can’t go home”

Jawa Manla will porform music from her newest album 'Distant Roots'. This album explores the profound emotions linked to the impossibility of returning home, resonating with a profound longing for familiar landscapes and the cherished memories of her upbringing.

Rooted in the power and beauty of Arabic poetry, the album explores various emotions and reflects on Jawa's musical journey. Starting in Damascus, it moves through Cairo, Istanbul, Greece, and finally finds a home in Amsterdam. 'Distant Roots' is a sonic journey. It connects her displaced roots to her current home. Through music, she connects her past and present, explores nostalgia and loss, and embraces her evolving identity.

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Enjoy during this concert the music of the upcoming album of: Maqam Al-Ghazal.  

Accompanied by Belgian musicians, Ghalia gives us lively, dynamic, crazy, sophisticated and simple music at the same time, just like this emotion of love which

inspires and soothes us; upsets us and turns us around Ghalia calls this “The musical mode of love poetry”. Life experiences so well written and described by contemporary poets from Iraq, Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Algeria, Sudan in classical Arabic language and dialects but also for the first time in French by Belgian poets.

Let yourself be carried away by the exuberance of the baroque, the dramatic nostalgia of early music, the fury of rock, the moving versatility of electronic music, the freedom of jazz the Latin of the romantic duende and the mystery of the Arabic Maqams.

In addition, Ghalia Benali will also sing a number of Arabic classics.

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Credits

Ghalia Benali/ Vocals & Compositions

Moufadhel Adhoum/Oud

Vincent Noiret/ Double bass

Laurent Blondiau/ Trumpet

Honoré Kouadio/ percussions

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UD Festival and El Hizjra join forces during the 'Night of Arabic Literature'. The literary-musical program full of stories, musical interludes and lectures is about the power of the mystical poetic forms from Al Andalus, Maghreb, Egypt and the Levant.

Who were these leading poets? How would they look at complex issues in our time? Which musical emotion matches the poetic form? The Andalusian scholar Ibn Arabi (1165-1240) and Persian poet Jalal ad-Din Rumi (1207-1273) serve as inspiration for the rich poetry in the heyday of Arabic literature.

Author Willem Bruls gives a lecture and searches for traces of these masters. He examines the influence of poetry on a city like Aleppo, where various layers of repertoires and traditions come together and music plays a prominent role in daily life.

Talented makers continue Bruls' story by creating a literary-musical voyage, with new interpretations of poets such as Rumi and Ibn Arabi. The guidance on the ud leads to a symbiosis where words, colors and music hang above the power of language.

The evening ends with a literary prize for the most talented writer.

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Noor

During Noor you will enjoy musicians from Iran, Turkey, Palestine, and Morocco in collaboration with Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra, Tony Overwater and Nizar Rohana. Each musician contributes with their own compositions, in which improvisation plays an important role. This results in a rich mix of musical influences, while preserving the unique background of each musician.

For the UD festival 2024, Palestinian oud player Nizar Rohana and bassist Tony Overwater have once again selected a number of exceptional musicians, including Iranian tar player Khorshid Dadbeh, Turkish kemençe player Emine Bostancı, and Moroccan qanun player Ahmed al Maai.

Narrator Sahand Sahebdivani creates a connection with his stories by placing the music in a theatrical context. 

The Journey of the Oud

The oud has traveled a long journey. Originally from Mesopotamia 5000 years ago, this instrument has spread all over the world and remains central in Arabic music. Just as every musician in Europe plays a bit of guitar or piano, in the countries south of the Mediterranean, people play the oud. In the Middle Ages, the oud was the instrument from which both the lute and the guitar originated, later taking a central place in Western music.

The Noor Ensemble, an initiative of the Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra and the Tonality Foundation, brings together musicians from Iran, Turkey, Palestine, and Morocco.

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Enjoy during this concert the music of the upcoming album of: Maqam Al-Ghazal.  

Accompanied by Belgian musicians, Ghalia gives us lively, dynamic, crazy, sophisticated and simple music at the same time, just like this emotion of love which

inspires and soothes us; upsets us and turns us around Ghalia calls this “The musical mode of love poetry”. Life experiences so well written and described by contemporary poets from Iraq, Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Algeria, Sudan in classical Arabic language and dialects but also for the first time in French by Belgian poets.

Let yourself be carried away by the exuberance of the baroque, the dramatic nostalgia of early music, the fury of rock, the moving versatility of electronic music, the freedom of jazz the Latin of the romantic duende and the mystery of the Arabic Maqams.

In addition, Ghalia Benali will also sing a number of Arabic classics.

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Credits

Ghalia Benali/ Vocals & Compositions

Moufadhel Adhoum/Oud

Vincent Noiret/ Double bass

Angelo Moustapha/percussion and talking drums  

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NB! BY SHOWING YOUR TICKET YOU CAN WATCH THE FILM As I Open My Eyes FOR FREE PRIOR TO THE PERFORMANCE

As I open my eyesA few months before the revolution in Tunisia, 18 year-old Farah has a passion for life and sings in a political rock band. Her mother, knowing the dangers of Tunisia, wants her to pursue a career as a doctor. Besides being nominated for several international film festivals, As I Open My eyes, starring Ghalia Benali, won the Best Muhr Fiction Feature Award in 2015.

Language: French/Tunesian Arabic with English subtitles.

Start: 13:00

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“Sometimes you can’t go home”

Jawa Manla will porform music from her newest album 'Distant Roots'. This album explores the profound emotions linked to the impossibility of returning home, resonating with a profound longing for familiar landscapes and the cherished memories of her upbringing.

Rooted in the power and beauty of Arabic poetry, the album explores various emotions and reflects on Jawa's musical journey. Starting in Damascus, it moves through Cairo, Istanbul, Greece, and finally finds a home in Amsterdam. 'Distant Roots' is a sonic journey. It connects her displaced roots to her current home. Through music, she connects her past and present, explores nostalgia and loss, and embraces her evolving identity.

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Travel to the roots of the ud. From the flourishing period of Moorish Granada to the mystical colors of 'muwashahat' from the Levant. Ahmed El Maai, a multi-talented artist on ud, qanun, viola, and vocals, has reworked various classics during his journey with special attention to the ud as a central connector. He pays tribute to these classics that have shaped him as a person and artist in Tangier, Brussels and Amsterdam.

From the folk sounds of the Maghreb to the spiritual tones of his great inspiration Oum Kalthoum. He summarizes it as follows: "My music must sound warm and stay close to the source. The album 'El Maai' is a personal portrait." For this concert, he has selected musicians from the Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra, Cappella Amsterdam and Matangi Quartet who add a special touch to these warm sound colors. Ahmed El Maai has won the hearts of many artists and audiences in the Netherlands with his enchanting performance. He has previously shared the stage with the Metropole Orchestra, Cappella Amsterdam, Estrella Morente and Sami Yusuf.

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Ahmed El Maai
Ahmed El Maai is a multi-talented artist on ud, qanun, viola, and vocals. He is one of the most talented musicians from Morocco. Ahmed El Maai's love for Andalusian music began at the conservatory in Tangier. Since 2005, he has been combining Andalusian music with other styles. During this concert, he presents his new album, taking his audience on a journey to the roots of the ud. On the album, he has reworked various classics, giving special attention to the ud as a central connector. He pays homage to these classics that have shaped him as a person and artist in Tangier, Brussels, and Amsterdam: from the folk sounds of the Maghreb to the spiritual tones of his great inspiration, Oum Kalthoum.

Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra
Ahmed El Maai says: "My music must sound warm and stay close to the source. The album El Maai is a personal portrait." For this concert, he has selected musicians from the Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra, who add a special touch to these warm sound colors. The Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra was founded in 2011 to connect the Andalusian heritage in arts and culture with the present. The ensemble brings the music back to Europe, combining it with stories, poems, and theater. The orchestra is composed of musicians from both the Netherlands and abroad. Over the years, it has collaborated with renowned musicians from various genres, including Arabic music, jazz, and flamenco.

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Driss El Maloumi, also known as the 'wizard of the oud' for his pure and delicate playing, was captivated by orchestras in movies and the enchanting sounds of violins and harmonies since childhood. He had long considered collaborating with a chamber orchestra, and after two years of preparation, his dream came true with the Tafassil project. This project blends the strings and percussion of his trio perfectly with the classical string instruments of the Watar Quintet.

While composing for Tafassil, Driss drew inspiration from daily life, observing moments like the sunrise, people beginning their day, parents accompanying their children to school, and the rich scents and colors of everyday life. He also saw how these seemingly ordinary moments relate to the world.

Originally from Agadir, Morocco, Driss El Maloumi has worked with various ensembles and musicians, including Jordi Savall, Debashish Bhattacharya, and Montserrat Figueras. He has also composed music for theater and film. Driss performs alongside two percussionists, his younger brother Saïd El Maloumi, and Lahoucine Baqir.

Driss El Maloumi oed/zang, Saïd El Maloumi daf/zarb/oudou/cajon, Lahoucine Baqir daf/darbouka/req, castagnetten/zang, Amèle Metlini viool, Silvia Bazantova viool, Marie Ghitta altviool, Annemie Osborne cello, Adrien Tyberghein contrabas

*UD Festival i.s.m. November Music

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Driss El Maloumi, also known as the 'wizard of the oud' for his pure and delicate playing, was captivated by orchestras in movies and the enchanting sounds of violins and harmonies since childhood. He had long considered collaborating with a chamber orchestra, and after two years of preparation, his dream came true with the Tafassil project. This project blends the strings and percussion of his trio perfectly with the classical string instruments of the Watar Quintet.

While composing for Tafassil, Driss drew inspiration from daily life, observing moments like the sunrise, people beginning their day, parents accompanying their children to school, and the rich scents and colors of everyday life. He also saw how these seemingly ordinary moments relate to the world.

Originally from Agadir, Morocco, Driss El Maloumi has worked with various ensembles and musicians, including Jordi Savall, Debashish Bhattacharya, and Montserrat Figueras. He has also composed music for theater and film. Driss performs alongside two percussionists, his younger brother Saïd El Maloumi, and Lahoucine Baqir.

Driss El Maloumi oed/zang, Saïd El Maloumi daf/zarb/oudou/cajon, Lahoucine Baqir daf/darbouka/req, castagnetten/zang, Amèle Metlini viool, Silvia Bazantova viool, Marie Ghitta altviool, Annemie Osborne cello, Adrien Tyberghein contrabas

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Enjoy during this concert the music of the upcoming album of: Maqam Al-Ghazal.  

Accompanied by Belgian musicians, Ghalia gives us lively, dynamic, crazy, sophisticated and simple music at the same time, just like this emotion of love which

inspires and soothes us; upsets us and turns us around Ghalia calls this “The musical mode of love poetry”. Life experiences so well written and described by contemporary poets from Iraq, Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Algeria, Sudan in classical Arabic language and dialects but also for the first time in French by Belgian poets.

Let yourself be carried away by the exuberance of the baroque, the dramatic nostalgia of early music, the fury of rock, the moving versatility of electronic music, the freedom of jazz the Latin of the romantic duende and the mystery of the Arabic Maqams.

In addition, Ghalia Benali will also sing a number of Arabic classics.

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Credits

Ghalia Benali / Vocals & Compositions

Moufadhel Adhoum /Oud

Anaïs Moffarts / Double bass

Angelo Moustapha /percussion and talking drums

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On November 24th, the final of the very first international ud competition in the Netherlands will take place!

Emerging ud players from all over the world have competed for a spot in the final and you can be there. In addition to performances by the finalists, there will also be a substantive and musical program by, among others, the Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra. After the final we will provide snacks, drinks and an open jam session.

You do not want to miss this!

16:00-16:30 Walk-in
16:30-18:00 Final
18:30-20:00 Snacks & drinks
20:00-21:00 Jam session

About the ud competition
For the first time in the Netherlands and as part of the Ud Festival, national and international talents who play the ud can register for the Ud Competition 2024. The participants aged 16-30 compete for the main prize. They will be judged by a jury consisting of renowned ud masters.

The ud masters will determine who will win the Saïd Chraibi Prize, named after the legendary Moroccan ud player. This prize can be seen as an encouragement for new talent. The competition will take place in the weekend of 22 to 24 November 2024 in MAQAM, cultural centre of the Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra and Meervaart.

The ud competition is a collaboration between MAQAM, Meervaart and the Amsterdam Andalusian Orchestra.

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On Thursday, November 28, Nazih Borish, music composer and oud player, will give a masterclass at MAQAM. During this masterclass, Nazih Borish will share his knowledge and craftsmanship.

Born in Latakia, Syria, he started learning to play the oud at a very young age. At the age of thirteen, he was already playing the oud in popular music bands. A rather special start to his music career. By introducing his own style, applying techniques to the oud for the first time, and combining musical sounds such as jazz, flamenco and Indian music, an authentic Nazih Borish sound was born.

In 2000, he founded his own school to teach the oud in his hometown of Latakia, and taught more than 100 students how to play this extraordinary instrument. In 2016, he moved to Montreal to continue his musical mission and expand his musical family. In 2017 he started working at the Center of Musicians of the World in Montreal, where he still works today.

Admission is free. Please register via floor@amsterdamsandalusischorkest.nl. ‍

On Saturday 30 November he will perform at the Bimhuis in Amsterdam. More information and tickets via BIMHUIS.

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The Musical Journeys of Marco Polo

Who wouldn't want to travel with Marco Polo, who left for China in 1271 and returned to Venice 24 years later? Listen to the music that explorers heard along the Silk Road. A very cosmopolitan mix: from the Mediterranean, the Middle East to the Far East. The international group, led by ud player Kyriakos Kalaitzidis, makes its Amsterdam debut!

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The Canadian group Constantinople and the Thessaloniki-based En Chordais gained worldwide fame with their adventurous, cross-cultural approach to music. In this truly unique road movie, you will hear classical Chinese music, Persian court music, Mongolian melodies, Sufi sounds from the Pamir Mountains, Byzantine melos, and music from Venice. The origins of the musicians are just as colorful.

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The authentic oud meets jazz, flamenco, and Indian music by Nazih Boris

The music journey of Nazih Borish, music composer and oud player born in Lattakia, Syria, started at a very young age. From the age of five, he began learning to play the oud by himself. At the age of thirteen, he was already working as an oud player in popular music bands. A pretty marvelous start to his music career.

By introducing his own style, applying techniques to the oud for the first time, and combining musical sounds such as jazz, flamenco, and Indian music, an authentic Nazih Borish sound was born.

In 2000, he founded his own school to teach the oud in his hometown of Lattakia, Syria, and taught more than 100 students how to play this extraordinary instrument. In 2016, he moved to Montreal to pursue his musical mission and extend his musical family. In 2017, he began working at the Center of Musicians of the World in Montreal, where he continues to work to this day.

Mehmet Quartet

Ud player and composer Mehmet Polat brings three versatile players on board for his new quartet. The compositions, inspired by various movements, are created through contemplation, experiment, emotions, adventure and virtuosity. Polat composes with freedom and regularly opts for less common odd meters. In this way he shows a kinship with contemporary jazz. In his band, double bass and drums lay the foundation for the melodic oud and piano lines.

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The Musical Journeys of Marco Polo

Who wouldn't want to travel with Marco Polo, who left for China in 1271 and returned to Venice 24 years later? Listen to the music that explorers heard along the Silk Road. A very cosmopolitan mix: from the Mediterranean, the Middle East to the Far East. The international group, led by ud player Kyriakos Kalaitzidis, makes its Amsterdam debut!

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The Canadian group Constantinople and the Thessaloniki-based En Chordais gained worldwide fame with their adventurous, cross-cultural approach to music. In this truly unique road movie, you will hear classical Chinese music, Persian court music, Mongolian melodies, Sufi sounds from the Pamir Mountains, Byzantine melos, and music from Venice. The origins of the musicians are just as colorful.

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