Jazz Lives In Syria 2008 09

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• published: 30 Oct 2011
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solos: Gerard Kleijn (Netherlands, trumpet), Lyle Link (USA, saxophone). Lyle Link, Bassel Rajoub, Khaled Kassem, Nader Issa, Armen Hyusnunts (saxophone), Arsen Suhakyan (Baritone Saxophone), ,Nizar Omran, Rani Elias, Dulama Shehab, Gerard Kleijn (trumpet), Samer Jaber, Thaer Barhoom, Raji Khaznadar, Sunde Helge, Imad Mansour (trombone), Sherbel Asfahan (tuba), Nareg Abajian, Oliver Friedli, Frank Carlberg (piano), Hannibal Saad (guitar), Georgios Antoniou (double bass), Khaled Omran (bass), Joost Kesselar, Tareq Fahham (drums), Vardan Grigoryan (duduk), Firas Shahristan (qanun), Ki¬¬nan Ednawi (oud), Jamal Al Sakka (percussions), Nareg Abajian, Frank Calberg (conductors), Kevork Murad (video artist), Hannibal Saad (artistic director) The Syrian Jazz Orchestra was founded in 2005, on the occasion of the first edition of the Jazz Lives in Syria Festival organized by the Swiss Embassy in Syria. It was the result of the first series of jazz music workshops with international trainers such as former conductor of the Big Band Amadis Dunkel (Switzerland) and the jazz musician and composer Frank Calberg (Finland/USA), and Syrian professional musicians from Damascus and other Syrian cities, in addition to international musicians (USA, Netherlands, Greece, Germany…) forming the first regular and complete Arabic Big Band. By constantly experimenting new ways of relating jazz music to the musical heritage of its members, the Syrian Jazz Orchestra became a solid jazz music basis that can absorb, adopt and carry other music genres and styles (world music, contemporary and classical western music, Arabic and Syrian traditional music…). However, The Syrian Jazz Orchestra is most of all dedicated to classical, contemporary and innovative jazz music, one of the most important contemporary music genres in the world. The Syrian Jazz Orchestra achieved its highest recognition when it collaborated with the Syrian National Orchestra and the Choir of the National Conservatoire in a challenging project on the occasion of major national celebrations (Farah Souria Festival in 2007, and the 17th of April special event organized by Damascus Arab Capital of Culture 2008). Moreover, the Syrian Jazz Orchestra is invited in September 2008to perform and represent Syria in one of the most prestigious European festivals dedicated to music from the Middle-East, Morgenland Festival in Germany. The Syrian Jazz Orchestra is also working on the recording of its first album in collaboration with international jazz musicians. For this year-s program, the Syrian Jazz Orchestra will present new arrangements of classical jazz pieces, Syrian classical pieces by Adnan Abou El Shamat and Omar Al Batsh (Syrian Muwashahhat), a specially commissioned classical jazz song (by Dutch jazz musician Gerard Kleijn), in addition to the collaboration of members of the Armenian Big Band. The program of 2008 will also feature a special collaboration with live illustrator and video artist Kevork Murad -Syrian established in New York, involving new live performance technologies (Max/Msp program) and highlighting the innovative approach of the members of the orchestra.