The Salaam-Shalom Music Project
The
Salaam-Shalom Music Project comprises members of the
Maxwell Street Klezmer Band and
distinguished artists from the Chicago Arabic music community.
Drawing on the traditional melodies of the Middle East combined with
those of the Klezmorim (Eastern European Jewish musicians),
the ensemble affirms the possibilities for mutual learning,
enrichment and good will between Jews, Muslims and Christians. These
eight musicians have mastered their instruments in Lebanon, Egypt,
the former Soviet Union and the USA.
This acoustic ensemble draws upon centuries-old folk songs and dances as well as improvising and blending cultures. The members learn each others' traditions and create new interpretations. The Ney (Arabic flute), Oud (Arabic lute), Daf (hand-held drum) as well as violin, clarinet and bass fiddle preside, creating a timeless experience of world music harmonies and fusion.
Testimonials
"Thanks so much for bringing the Chicago Salaam-Shalom Music Project to our campus! Such glorious music, indeed played 'with heart and soul!' ...you brought us great joy. Blessings on you all and your wonderful ministry of music."
Dr. Mark N. Swanson
Harold S. Vogelaar Professor of Christian-Muslim Studies
and Interfaith Relations, Associate Director, A Center of
Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice, Lutheran School
of Theology at Chicago
The Musicians:
Osama Zeadan, Neys (Traditional Wooden Flutes)
Osama (Sam) was born in Cairo, Egypt in 1948 where he practiced law.
He has performed with internationally renowned musicians and singers
such as El Ferqa El Arabia, Ferqet Yosri Qatr, El Ferqa El Zahbia
and many others, and has toured in Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Syria,
Germany, France, and England. He immigrated to the United States in
1984 and performs music in Chicago.
Donald Jacobs, Clarinet
Don has played with the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band since 1983. He
studied with klezmer clarinet master Sid Beckerman, as well as with
Richard Corpolongo, George Silfies and James Stoynoff. Don played in
groups led by Palestinian Issa Boulos. Don has toured extensively in
Europe and recorded with Maxwell Street, Las Guitarras de España,
The Balkan Rhythm Band, and many other ensembles.
Rami Gabriel, Oud, Guitar
Dr. Rami Gabriel, an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Columbia
College Chicago, is of Lebanese and Egyptian descent. In addition to
performing oud and guitar, he leads and composes for "Swing Hakim"
and plays with "Alfonso Ponticelli and Swing Gitan."
Alex Koffman, Violin
Alex graduated from the Conservatory of Minsk and immigrated in 1989
and became Maxwell Street Klezmer Band’s violinist and Musical
Director. Alex toured nationally with a special project of Genesis
at the Crossroads featuring classical Arabic music played by an
orchestra of Muslims, Christians and Jews which played at the U.N.
Alex has composed, recorded five CDs with Maxwell Street and toured
eight times in Europe.
Dahlia Sultan, Vocals
Dahlia was born in St. Louis of Egyptian descent, and studies Arabic
vocal repertory. She will be receiving her BS in Health Science and
Performance Music in from Benedictine University.Dahlia has been
studying voice since the age of nine and sang with the Young
Naperville Singers. She received an honorary scholarship to study
music at Benedictine University and studies under Marc Stingley of
the Chicago Lyric Opera. Dahlia has been featured as a soloist for
several ensembles including Benedictine’s Concert and Chamber
Ensembles.
Vahi Zakarian, Daf, Dumbek, Tabla
Vahi is an Iraqi of Armenian descent. While he was a child he
learned how to play the violin and drums, and soon thereafter he
started making his own drums. In 1963 he began playing in the Iraqi
Folklore Dancing Company, and he was a member of the Iraqi Symphony
Orchestra from 1972 till 1975. He has toured in Tunisia, Japan,
Morocco, France, Russia, Kuwait, Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain, Yugoslavia,
Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Italy, and England. In 1980 Zakarian
immigrated to the U.S., where he lives with his family and works as
a contractor.
Joey Spilberg, Double Bass
Joey studied Jazz Performance at New York University and
subsequently immersed himself in traditional North African and
Middle Eastern music with Tunisian master percussionist Najib Bahri.
Joey is a founding member of Lamajamal, and has played bass for
Duzan Ensemble, Swing Hakim, Black Bear Combo, The Middle Eastern
Music Ensemble of the University of Chicago, Jim Stoynoff, Balkano,
Mar Caribe, The Chicago Klezmer Ensemble and Solar Anja. He recently
began playing with Maxwell Street.
Lori Lippitz, Vocals, Guitar, Organizer
Lori founded the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band in 1983 and the Klezmer
Music Foundation in 1994. Credited with spearheading the klezmer
revival in the Midwest, Maxwell Street has performed in Carnegie
Hall and eight European tours and recorded five CDs. In 2004, Lori
was rated one of "Ten Jewish Chicagoans of the Year." She served as
the Cantor of the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation in Evanston
and founded the Junior Klezmer Orchestra. In 2001, she collaborated
with Genesis at the Crossroads to organize an interfaith band called
"Hamsa," and founded the Salaam-Shalom Music Project in 2005.
This interfaith music initiative is supported by the Klezmer Music Foundation, Inc., an Illinois not for profit organization.
Video Sample
Please use the link below to view a video on YouTube.
Chicago Arabic and Jewish Music Project 2011 (4:54)
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