The Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California (ICCNC) is proud to host Sidi Ali Keeler and the Al-Firdaus Ensemble for their only 2024 concert in the Bay Area on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at 6:00 PM. Doors open at 5:30 PM. This concert is held in solidarity with the people of Gaza. The event promises to be a unique and rare opportunity to appreciate diverse musical traditions from East and West, rooted in faith and a spirit of human dignity and upliftment for all people. Secure parking is available for the participants at the Scottish Rite Center Parking on 1558 Madison Street.
Tickets: $50 for General, $40 for Students with valid Student ID.
ABOUT AL-FIRDAUS ENSEMBLE
Al Firdaus Ensemble was founded in 2012 by the English violinist and singer Ali Keeler, and is based in Granada, Spain. The group takes its inspiration from the word Firdaus, which is the Arabic name (of Persian origin) for the most elevated abode in Paradise.
The intercultural nature of this name reflects the character of the group in which musicians from different countries and cultural backgrounds are brought together with one purpose - to tune their hearts to receive the inspiration of the moment and transmit that to the audience. The traditional Arabic term for this kind of music is "sama" which could be translated as “the art of listening.”
The unique sound of their music is due to a synthesis of different musical styles. These include original compositions of a more Western classical character with influences from both Celtic and Flamenco traditions and new arrangements of songs drawn from the rich heritage of traditional Sufi music from Arabic, Andalusi and Turkish sources. The words of the songs are mainly in Arabic drawn from the poetry of the great Sufis from Al Andalus and the Arab world, such as Ibn Arabi and Al Shushtari. Also within their repertoire are musical adaptations of poems in aljamiado (old Spanish written by the Moriscos using the Arabic script). They use a combination of Arabic and Western classical instruments in addition to the flamenco guitar and have a range of singers, some of whom are soloists and others who sing in the choruses. They have performed in concerts and international festivals throughout Europe, Bosnia, the U.S., Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Turkey, Lebanon, and Malaysia.
