A S W a T ASWAT Winter Concert Classical and Folkloric Arabic Music Directed by Wael Kakish

Proudly Presents A S W A T ASWAT Winter Concert Classical and Folkloric Arabic Music Directed by Wael Kakish

Featuring: Guest Vocalist and Musician, Noureddine Kallel Qanun player, Hatem Frikha Violinist, Samy Shumays Vocalist, Samara ZAWAYA 311—41st Avenue Saturday December 1st, 2007 San Mateo, CA 94403 www.zawaya.org The College of San Mateo Theater email: [email protected] San Mateo, California (650) 341-3697

Featuring 100 Arab American Artists

The rich history and culture of the Arab American people is found in the passionate works of its artists. Whether they be traditional media such as painting and calligraphy, or more sophisticated media such as digital work and installation, the pieces represent the beauty of heritage, the struggles of growing up in war-torn countries, the identity conflicts, and the issues surrounding migration to a Western culture very different from one's own. Many of the artists included in the book, though their works appear in museums and galleries throughout the world, have never before been featured in a reference book.

For more information, visit: www.oweis.com

To order, visit www.greenwood.com, or call 1-800-225-5800. You can also order it from amazon.com and other on-line retailers. Law Office of A Message from ZAWAYA President H. Edward Ballout Dear friends,

415-252-1234 On behalf of Zawaya’s board of directors, I would like to thank you for joining us tonight at ASWAT's Winter balloutlaw.com Concert. Zawaya, the umbrella organization for ASWAT, was created to preserve, promote and present the Arab Ameri- can rich cultural heritage through music and arts. Our name "Zawaya" translates into "corners" or "aspects" hence our mission, which celebrates all aspects of our culture. One of our main goals is to help our Arab American youth feel proud of their culture and get them involved and active in our programs that focus on educational and artistic workshops and events. Such involvement will empower the youth, bring out their artistic talents and rein- force their commitment to serving the community. ASWAT, our ensemble, is a place where our youth can learn and enjoy the music, rediscover their identity and be part of a lively diverse group that performs Arabic songs and plays all kinds of different musical instruments for the mere love of the art itself. I need to thank all the wonderful volunteers for their effort and time; it is their dedication that makes such events sail smoothly and successfully. By attending tonight's concert you have enabled us to keep our mission alive and we are grateful. I do hope you will enjoy the concert, and we will see you in all our future events.

Fayeq Oweis, Ph.D. ZAWAYA President MUSIC PROGRAM PART 1 1. Wasla in maqam Ajam !" Sama’i Mahur composed by Nicolai Efendi followed by Taqsim on the Qanun by Bilel Bouraoui !" Sama’i Ajam composed by Ali Darwish (Aleppo-Syria San Francisco State University is establishing an Arab 1881-1952) followed by two muwashshahat: and Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas Initiative (AMED) Yaa Malikan – muwashshah by an unknown composer on 10/8 best rhythm featuring a vocal solo by The Initiative in Arab and Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas Jose Antonio. Aygadha al-Hubbu Fu'adi – muwash- (AMED) in the College of Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State shah on 6/8 best rhythm composed by Bahjat Hassan University began in the Spring semester of 2007. It is currently !" Mahla Nurha – taqtuqa composed by Sayyid Darwish spearheaded by Dr. Rabab Ibrahim Abdulhadi, who was the first (Egypt 1892-1923) director of the Center for Arab American Studies at the University 2. Tallu Hbabna Tallu –Lebanese popular song by Wadi' of Michigan-Dearborn. While AMED is in its preliminary phases, as-Safi featuring Barney Jones its vision is limitless. Dr. Abdulhadi and a team of research asso- 3. Dulab Nahawand Murassa’ composed by Sami Shumays ciates and leading community members are working to develop the initiative’s programs. followed by a taqsim on the Kaman AMED’s unique vision is framed within the field of Ethnic 4. Uhibbuka Akthar – composed by Mercel Khalifa for Studies and is committed to providing a justice-centered analysis Umaima Khalil featuring Yasmeen Daifallah accompanied by in which gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, citizenship, ability, and Wael Kakish on Oud. other structural inequalities are integral to the study of Arab and 5. Raqsat Bint al Arab - instrumental dance piece in maqam Muslim communities. This is a departure from the dominant trend Bayati in Arab and Muslim Studies as the study of communities that are foreign or located in a confined geographical area, rather than as 6. Iz-zar'i lakhdar ya wala – Egyptian folk song in maqam communities of color within the US, in the Americas, and transna- Bayati featuring Faten Hellal, Rana Mruweh & Lana Khalaf tionally across other Diasporas. Furthermore, AMED remains 7. Hal Layla Hilwa – Traditional Iraqi song featuring Hussein rooted in its communities as it is committed to a vision of recip- Dixon on Kaman, Lily Storm & Dennis Demakos on vocals rocity and strong collaboration between university and non- 8. Yaa Reem Wadi Thaqif – Saudi song composed by Tarek university communities. Abdel Hakim made famous by Hiyam Yunis in maqam Bayati The Initiative’s priority is to create a minor in Arab and Mus- lim Ethncities and Diasporas, geared towards not only the devel- featuring Marwan Mero opment of a major, but also the revamping of the current Masters 9. Yaa Salat Ez-Zayn – Egyptian taqtuqa by Zakaria Ahmad in Ethnic Studies to effect the experiences of Arab and Muslim (1892-1962) in maqam Bayati communities. 10. Qamar luh Layal – taqtuqa in maqam Rast composed by Daoud Hussni featuring Samara For more information please contact: Arab and Muslim Ethnicities and Diasporas Initiative 11. Deer il-Qadah – traditional love song in maqam Huzam College of Ethnic Studies featuring Samara San Francisco State University Phone: (415) 405-2668 Fax: (415) 405-2573 Email: [email protected] MUSIC PROGRAM PART 2 1. Wasla in maqam Rast Featuring Aswat’s Tunisian Guest Artists Nourideen Kellal & Hatem Frikha !" Sama’i Rast composed by Tatyous Efendi (1855-1913) !" Taqsim on the Qanun by Hatem Frikha !" A set of Muwashshahat composed by Sayyid Darwish (1892-1923) starts with Ahinnu Shawqan: muwashshah on 4/4 beat (Wihda Kabira), Sihtu Wajdan: muwashshah on 7/8 beat Middle Eastern Food (Dore Hindi) & Yaa Shadi Al Alhan: muwashshah on 8/4 beat (Masmoudi) The Best Falafel in Town! !" Hayrana Leh – taqtuqa in maqam rast composed Serving the Bay Area by Daoud Hussni (1870-1937) ; starts with a taqsim on the Oud by Ala Kellal followed by a Since 1984 Mawwal by Nourideen Kellal 2. 'indama ya'ti al-masa – qasida composed by M. Abdel Two Locations to Serve You: Wahab (1907-1991) 3. Lammuni illi Gharu minni -compsoed by Hadi al-Juwayni in maqam Kurd 2115 Irving Street 4. Traditional Tunisian Songs made famous by Saliha, San Francisco, CA 94122 starts with Mrid Fani composed by Saleh El Mahdi in maqam Mazmoum, 'urDouni zouz Sbaya (unknown com- (415) 664-8210 poser) in maqam Mazmoum and Khali Baddalni (unknown composer) in maqam Muhayyer Iraq 2456 Bancroft Way 5. Samaah an-Nubah – a folk medley from Upper Egypt featuring Ling Shien Bell on Mizmar, Mark Bell on Tabl Berkeley, CA 94704 Baladi, & Samy Shumays on Egyptian Rababa (510) 845-9400 Unlike previously published books on Palestinian embroidery, this book is perhaps the first to document by origin all the different motifs used ZAWAYA is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, on traditional costumes. promoting and presenting Arab American’s rich cultural heritage through music and arts. Our name “ZAWAYA” translates as “aspects” or “corners” and our mission is to celebrate and promote all aspects of our rich Arab heritage. ZAWAYA is a tax-exempt, tax-deductible organization with 501(C)3 status. ZAWAYA was established in 2003 by a group of Arabs and Americans in the Bay Area to promote the public expression of Arab art and culture. By providing a forum for exhibiting all forms of Arab culture, we strive to provide an understand- ing of this rich heritage. ZAWAYA also sponsors ASWAT, the only Bay Area Arab community choir, which has been promoting Arabic music for seven years.

ZAWAYA Executive Committee: Dr. Fayeq Oweis, President Duraid Musleh, Vice-President Inas Elmashni, Secretary

Board Members: Haya Shawa Benhalim Margaret Coyne Nabila Mango Maher Sabry Shahdan Shazly Dr. Lucia Volk For more information, visit our web site at www.zawaya.org ASWAT Ensemble was founded in San Francisco in January 2000. The founder, Nabila Mango, is a Palestinian American, who is tremendously dedicated and active in the Bay Area community, took the initiative to create this family for the mere love of Arabic Music. The family grew, but the motive stayed the same. It is to enjoy the music, enhance the pride in Arabic Heritage and to introduce the beauty of that heritage to all neighbors in the community. ASWAT is a community ensemble for classical and folk Arabic music. It performs Muwashshahaat (Arabic poetry, sung in the tradition of al-andalus, Spain) as well as traditional and contemporary songs from the Arab World. It features a talented group of musicians playing the Oud, Qanun, Violin, Daff, and Tabla. Over the past seven years, Aswat has achieved a professional level of competence and has made appearances in numerous colleges, universities, festivals and conferences in the Bay Area and Seattle, including the Golden Gate Science Academy. ASWAT welcomes anyone who is interested or even curious about Arabic music. To support ASWAT with your presence, membership or encouragement is the most worthwhile step towards raising awareness of the rich Arab Heritage and culture through the beauty of its music. Contact ASWAT at: [email protected], or visit ASWAT at http:// www.myspace.com/ensembleaswat

Wael Kakish, Artistic Director Nabila Mango, Founder and Administrative Director Barney Jones, Voice Teacher Lana Khalaf, Arabic Language Teacher Jose-Antonio Nasser, Internet Administrator

About the Music & the Instruments By Wael Kakish

Aswat Ensemble performs classical and folk songs from various Arab countries. The group plays traditional musical instruments such as the qanun (zither), ‘ud (lute), nay (reed flute), kaman (violin), riqq (tambourine) and darabukkah (goblet drum). The programs feature a number of waslat (suites) using different maqamat (modes). The wasla (suite) starts with an instrumental introduction, taqsim (improvisation), mawwal (vocal improvisation) and a medley of songs performed by the chorus and solo vocalists. The performances include muwashshahat, a form of poetic songs, which started around the ninth century in Arab Spain. The muwashshahat performed by the group are the ones encountered in Egypt, Syria and Leba- non. This form of muwashshahat is different from the Nuba and the Ma’luf of North Africa. The ones encountered in the Middle East evolved from a certain form of poetry that has three to four lines. The first line is called dore 1, the second dore 2, the third khana (where partial or full modulation to a different maqam or rhythm might occur) and finally the qafla, which means closing. In addition to muwashshahat, the group performs songs of major artists of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries such as Muham- mad ‘Uthman, Sayyid Darwish, Abdo Al Hamuli, M. Abdel Wahab, Um Kalthum, Farid Al Atrash, Asmahan, Fairuz and many others. The group also includes folk and popular songs from Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Samaah an-Nubah Iraq, and the Arabian Gulf. When can I visit you? GLOSSARY: Atifi – romantic song I live far away, but my heart is with you. Bendir - frame drum Oh graceful as a palm frond, Debke – line-dance song Darabukka - goblet shape hand drum lean my way and greet me. Layali- a solo vocal form whose text consists of "ya layl ya 'ayn" The fire of love has burned me Maqam - mode / modal scale Mawwal – vocal improvisation and the doctor can do nothing. Muwashshah –sung poetry in the tradition of Arab-Spain. Nay - reed flute Qadim – old (unknown composer) Qasidah- a poem set to music consisting of 10-25 or more lines of poetry Riqq – fish skin tambourine Sama’i – instrumental composition consists of four sections (khanaat) and a refrain (taslim) set on 10/8 beat Taqsim – instrumental improvisation Wasla - suite or medley of music and songs on a selected maqam. ‘Ud - Arabic style fretless lute

Featured Artists:

Wael Kakish ASWAT’s director since January 2007, Wael Kakish is the long-time director of Kan Zaman in Southern California. Kak- ish has directed performances in numerous venues and has taught at various universities, art centers, and music camps. Kakish has training in both Arabic and Western music at universities in Jordan and the United States. He began public performances in childhood when he was taught by his father, a musician and ‘Oud player.

Noureddine Kallel Mr. Noureddine Kallel is a renowned singer and musician in Tunisia and throughout the Arab world. For over 40 years he has been the ambassador of folk Arab music in Tunisia and overseas. From 1970 to 1972, he was leading University of Tunis’ musical group, then he moved to Paris, to pursue his love for music academically and studied at the “Ecole Nor- male de Musique.” In 1981, he founded the Television series “Tarab wa Iktishef” with the very famous ‘oud musician Mr. Ali Sriti. In 1982, he founded the “Farabi” group to revive, celebrate and preserve Classic Arabic music.

Hatem Frikha Born in Sfax, Tunisia, disciple of Nouri Rbaii and Maestro Ali Sriti. In 1997 and at the early age of 14, he graduated from the music institute of Sfax with the highest honors, making Lammuni illi Gharu minni him the youngest Qanun player in Tunisia. In 2001, Hatem To those who rebuke me out of jealousy, won best Qanun player in the Arab World at the interna- I reply “see her through my eyes” tional competition in Algeria. He performed around the I am charmed just by a sidelong glance of hers. world and participated in the Arab Musical Festival in Cairo To her I am an Adam, as she is my Eve. in 1999, the International Music Festival in Belford in 2000, and at the Grand Opening of El Medina Music Festival in Tunis. He also founded Saltana orchestra musical group. Samara Atlas Egyptian singer Samara started her career in the U.S. in 1984 at the Royal Morocco in San Jose, where Sami Khoury dis- covered her talent and provided her with musical training. She has worked with Qanun player Mamdouh Qubtan and oud player Nizar Khawaja. It was Qanun player Jony Thar- wat who persuaded her to switch from light songs to the more serious Tarab singing style. Samara has performed in many cities in the U.S. and Mexico. She now lives in San Fran- Qamar luh Layal cisco. You are like the moon when it illuminates the sky.

Sami Shumays Stay like that and do not go away. My heart will suffer if you disappear. Sami Shumays, violinist, composer, educator, was born in the United States and trained in classical western music and eth- nomusicology at Harvard and CUNY. He sought immersion in Arab musical culture through study in Cairo and Aleppo. He has performed and taught in venues throughout the U.S., conducted workshops and classes for youth, and works as a film studio musician. He emphasizes the melodic vocabulary of maqam. Sami lives in New York.

Yasmeen Daifallah Yasmeen Daifallah is from Egypt and she is a doctoral student in political science at UC Berkley. Hayrana Leh Why be so dismayed? Is my melting heart different than yours? Marwan Mero I have been captivated since the day I first saw you, Marwan Mero is from Saudi Arabia and currently he is a stu- so have pity on your admirer dent at San Francisco State University. and fulfill my dreams.

Administrative Director Director Administrative

Samir Ali Vocalists Lily Storm Lana Khalaf Faten Hellal Vitrae Nune Rana Mroue Barney Jones Samara Atlas Nabila Mango Marwan Mero Iyad Abuhajjaj Ling Shien Bell

Dennis Demakos Amina Goodyear ‘AlaKallel (‘Oud) Hajem al-Mukdad Instrumentalists: Yasmeen Daifallah Jose-Antonio Nasser Greg Hamburg (‘oud) Greg Hamburg (‘oud) Sara Salzmann (Violin) Hannah Sarvasy (Cello) Hannah Sarvasy (Cello) Angela Ramsey (Violin) Bilel Bouraoui (Qanun) Hussain ( Violin) Dixon Muhammad Arrabi (Nay) Muhammad Arrabi Ling Shien Bell (Mizmar) Ling Shien Bell (Mizmar) Faisal Zedan (Percussion) (Percussion) Zedan Faisal

Loay Dahbour (Percussion) Loay Dahbour (Percussion) Wael Kakish (Buzuq, ‘Oud) (Buzuq, Wael Kakish Sandy Hollister (Percussion) Sandy Hollister (Percussion) Wael Kakish - Artistic Director - Artistic Director Wael Kakish

Mark Bell (Percussion, Tabl Baladi) ASWAT Ensemble ASWAT Nabila Mango - Founder & - Founder Nabila Mango

overwhelms me.

Yaa Shadi Al Alhan the beauty of my beloved. The beauty of my companion’s face I long to the place where I first saw and stir the hearts of all the revelers here. Sing out the melodies and let the lutes ring out too, Sing out the melodies and let the lutes Acknowledgments

Afnan Dallasheh- Media Publicity/ Ticket Sales Arab Cultural and Community Center SF- Promotion Arab-American Cultural Center of Silicon Valley - Promotion Arab Film Festival-Promotion Arab Resource and Organizing Center- Promotion Casa Mango- Stage Design College of San Mateo Danny Frier -Lyrics Translation Faten Helal- Card Design KPFA- Promotion Samer El -Bandak - Promotion Marty Atkinson- Sound Engineer Yaa Reem Wadi Thaqif Middle East Children Alliance-Promotion Oh graceful as a gazelle, NAAP-Northern California-Promotion there’s nothing compares to you. AUB-Bay Area Alumni Association-Promotion It is your company and your kiss I crave, so don’t be a stranger. Your fine body is the cure for ZAWAYA and ASWAT what ails me, would also like to thank so don’t deprive and disappoint me. all the volunteers without whom this concert would not be possible. Iz-zar'i lakhdar ya wala I have been sleepless with joy since my sweetheart showed his affection by presenting me with a flower as a token, out in the fields. Now that we have declared our love, and he is asking our parents’ approval, I can’t wait to serve sweet celebration drinks.

Yaa Malikan Minni Fu’adi This night stretches out so long, over yearning for you. Please stop denying my affections, Hal Layla Hilwa it is only you I long for, Such a sweet beautiful night. Oh moon find my beloved, only you can relieve and star see if they are awake. Others teeth are dull as bone, but my love’s teeth are like pearl. my heart. I lie here counting stars, thinking of my sweetheart sleeping, How could my heart possibly rest? Til’it Yaa Mahla Nurha On a beautiful village morning with a perfect sunrise and fresh water-buffalo milk, the handsomely tanned flirtatious lad gives the girl jasmine blossom and asks her for a song.

Aygadha al-Hubbu Fu'adi Love has awoken my heart after it had Tallu Hbabna Tallu despaired of passion. Our friends have come to stroll with us by the shaded brook, This happened despite myself but is along the forest paths, at the well. real to my very bones. This turmoil of requiting my feelings We are inspiration for the songbirds’ melody. may bring rebuke, but being separated As the meadow flowers call to us, we answer the dawn from you is like death, my love, my perfect one. with tales of new love.