Join us for a beautiful evening of Arab and blues fusion music, dancing, and food! Our events have a suggested donation of $20, payable at the gate.
Doors and farmer-made food served at 4 pm, music is from 5-6:30 pm.
Our events are BYOC-Bring Your Own Chair. We only have access to an outhouse, so please come prepared.
About the Artist:
The Arab Blues traces a trajectory between tradition and innovation. We embody the call of tradition and the response of the diaspora.
The synthesis Rami and Karim create is an auditory expression of not only the power and persistence of tradition, but equally the validity of its transformation under the unique cultural conditions we inhabit.
Chicago teaches us tenacity, while our Arab homelands offer us a deep well of inspiration and reverence. Our reaction to xenophobia, dehumanization, and prejudice toward our beloved people can be heard in our performance. Music offers us the amplification to broadcast our unique story, rebut stereotypes, and shush the negativists.
The basis of our work is the Turath, the canon of classical Arab compositions and improvisational techniques. This rich heritage consists of melodic and rhythmic exposition and instrumental interaction at countless levels of depth.
We interpret the Turath in the context of the equally lush traditions of blues and jazz in Chicago. This marriage of forms is fruitful because of the emotional range of the blues and the improvisational flexibility and ingenuity of jazz.
The Arab Blues was developed by Lebanese-Egyptian oud and guitar player Rami Gabriel through a research fellowship at the Center for Black Music Research, two Illinois Artist grants, and a decade of experience as a jazz and blues musician in Chicago.
Native Egyptian percussionist Karim Nagi, a two-time beneficiary of the Doris Duke Building Bridges grant, is an accomplished teacher and performer who completes this duo with his energetic and lyrical approach to rhythm on riqq, tublah, and assembled drum set. Karim also designs the artwork and graphics, funneling their music into a visual stamp.
Living in Chicago inspired The Arab Blues to amplify the sound of their folk traditions. Participating in the city's musical landscape is a celebration and embodiment of the immigrant experience. The Arab Blues draw from the rich traditions of maqam, blues, and jazz to create an eclectic, playful, and virtuosic sound of the future.