An all-star line up of Middle Eastern talent, including some of the best
young Palestinian musicians, will be delivering the freshest Arabic sounds
to audiences at the Birmingham Town Hall this week.
Following her sold out tour of the UK last year with the Palestine Youth Orchestra,
singer and flutist Nai Barghouti returns with an eight-piece band, including
exceptional soloists in their own right.
At 20, Nai Bargouti is already an accomplished musician, having completed her
musical studies at the National Conservatory of Palestine in Ramallah in April 2011.
In a unique double bill, Mohamed Najem & Friends will open the show with their
effortless blend of Arabic music and jazz. In an age of barriers, these musicians
preach unity and inspiration at its finest.
Moving seamlessly between Arabic music and Jazz, two of the most exciting
musicians to emerge from the cultural renaissance in Palestine, Nai Barghouti and
Mohamed Najem, have been capturing hearts at their latest tour plans to travel
between Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham before heading to Edinburgh and
London.
They will be joined by members of the Awan Quartet, Palestinian street band Al
Raseef, and top session musicians from Nai Barghouti’s band ‘Moments’ as they
present a specially curated cycle featuring well known Palestinian and Arabic songs
and a couple of Nai’s original works.
Musical group Mohamed Najem & Friends, who hail from France, have quickly
become favourites of the Paris jazz scene, while also performing in festivals in
Qatar, Germany, France and Switzerland.
Nai Barghouti, singer, composer and flute player said:
“Palestine Jazz means a lot to me, not only as a musician but also as a Palestinian
raised with the brutality of war. The wall, the checkpoints, the racism and the anger
might set limits on our freedom, but honest dreams can never be broken. Bringing
together some of the most versatile musicians in Palestine, and also from the
Netherlands, Korea, Tunisia and Suriname, to blend the sounds of Arabic music and
jazz is definitely one of those honest dreams. This tour represents not only our
passion in music, but also our will to make a difference and overcome barriers.”
Mohamed Najem, composer and clarinettist said:
“This has been an exciting year for our band. We’ve been performing all over
France, but also in Gabon, and I’ve had solo shows in Germany and Belgium as well
as in London and Birmingham. We’re proud to be supporting UNICEF and MSF in
their work with people affected by the crisis in Syria, and to be sharing the show
with some of the most exciting young musicians in Palestine, many of whom I have
known personally for years.
“We are doing something different on this tour. It is exciting to be building on the
work done by the Palestine Youth Orchestra last year, a special group that many of
us were part of as performers and soloists.”
Tim Pottier, Director of NiNi Productions said:
“After being involved in the production of several Palestinian music tours in the UK
and internationally, it became clear that audiences loved what they were hearing.
“Again and again, they wanted to be part of the tremendously positive energy they
were experiencing. For this generation of Palestinian musicians, playing is never
about turning up on stage just to deliver the music. There is a drive to be
recognised on the international stage, an endless passion to show the wealth and
depth of Palestinian music.
“Tariq Emam and I launched NiNi Productions not only to promote this rich
Palestinian music, but also to raise funds for work with those affected by the crisis
in Syria.”
The series of UK shows are being supported by Interpal, Sound House, Amirah
Foundation and the Scottish Palestinian Forum. Artists performing on the tour will
be making a donation to Doctors Without Borders (MSF) and Unicef.
For tickets to the Birmingham show, please visit:
https://www.thsh.co.uk/event/palestine-jazz-nai-barghouti-mohamed-najem-friend
s#tab0=details
Palestine Jazz UK Tour Dates:
Wed 26 July, 7.30pm | RNCM Concert Hall, Manchester
Thu 27 July, 7.45pm | Howard Assembly Room, Leeds
Fri 28 July, 7.30pm | Town Hall Birmingham
Sat 29 July, 7.30pm | St Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh
Tue 1 August, 8.00pm | Union Chapel, London
CONTACT:
For further information, please contact Tim Pottier, NiNi Productions |
info@niniproductions.co.uk | 07885 655336
LISTING DETAILS:
Palestine Jazz
With Nai Barghouti, Mohamed Najem and Friends
Town Hall, Birmingham
Friday 28th July | 7.30pm
TICKETS: https://www.thsh.co.uk/boxoffice/ticket/381539
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NiNiProductionsUK/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/niniproductions
Hashtag: #PalJazz2017
DOWNLOADS/MULTIMEDIA:
Attached are high-res. images that may be used in relation to this news release (attached to
email).
Promotional videos can be embedded via YouTube here:
A special promo video and interview with Mohamed Najem can be downloaded and
re-uploaded to your news site. Download here: https://we.tl/NAS2LY1eq3
For additional press info, contact Adam Yosef | 07805049383 | adam@amirahfoundation.org
