Nawras Altaky Septet - Arise!

Ud player and singer Nawras Altaky is a charismatic presence. Through meandering improvisations, he guides his ensemble across Arabic maqam, jazz, pop, and medieval music. Playfully, Altaky transforms his personal history from anonymous asylum seeker into a universal experience. Casually, he mentions the details of his escape: “I had no map but followed the footsteps of those before me” or refers to the ultimate decision every refugee faces: “The dance between chance and choice.”

With this enlightened lesson in acceptance, he establishes himself as a ‘musician’s musician’, rightfully chosen as Utrecht’s City Composer this year. On his debut album Arise!, Altaky captured his flight from Syria in moving compositions, and the CD will be presented during Old Roots New Routes.

Musicians: Nawras Altaky (SY/NL) – ud, vocals Kinan Abuakel (SY/NL) – buzuk Remy Dielemans (NL) – double bass Udo Demandt (NL) – percussion Marianne Noordink (NL) – ney, flute Teis Semey (NL) – electric guitar Oene van Geel (NL) – violin

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