The Arab Music Ensemble is joined by the Zaryab Ensemble for its spring concert. The Zaryab Ensemble begins the program with Iranian and Tajik music under the artistic direction of Neema Hekmat. The group includes internationally acclaimed Nasser Sabouri on vocals, Nariman Assadi on tombak and daff, Azadeh Nemat-Gorgani on piano, Maruf Noyoft on robab and vocals, and Hekmat on santur.
The music they perform has gained widespread popularity across Southwest Asia and North Africa. Acclaimed guest percussionist Faisal Zedan returns to lead the Arab Music Ensemble’s percussion section on riqq, darabukka and daff.
A chamber ensemble made up of members of the Arab Music Ensemble perform two popular Sephardic songs which flow into a musical suite by the orchestra and choir. The concert concludes with both ensembles performing classic selections of Iranian and Arab music together.
Professor Ken Habib serves as music director and Jenna Mitchell leads the dance troupe.
