Between the Mountain and the River
Featuring West End Big Band, Conducted by Gerard Kleijn, with Amel Sdiri, Kinan Abuakel, and Oene van Geel

• Date: December 11, 2024 | 8:30 PM

• Venue: Splendor, Nieuwe Uilenburgerstraat 116, 1011 LX Amsterdam, NL

• Tickets: https://splendoramsterdam.com/agenda/111467388/between-the-mountain-and-the-river

Get ready for an extraordinary musical collaboration featuring the West End Big Band, the virtuoso vocalist Amel Sdiri, Oene van Geel and the accomplished buzuq player Kinan Abuakel.

West End Big Band and Syrian Big Band Soloists: A Fusion of Cultures This project aims to blend Syrian and Western musical traditions into a unique and exciting program. It includes traditional Syrian music specially arranged for big bands. A successful tryout in June left us inspired and eager to share this fusion with you.

The Syrian Big Band, founded in 2005, developed its own distinctive repertoire while delving into the world of jazz. By collaborating with international composers, they’ve successfully merged Syrian and Arabic musical traditions with big band jazz. In 2011, the group underwent a transformation, embarking on global collaborations with esteemed artists like Dutch trumpet player Gerard Kleijn. It was Gerard’s connection with the West End Big Band that inspired this exciting fusion.

The Syrian Big Band expanded to Europe in 2012, and has since led to partnerships with renowned big bands across the globe. Their performances, including at the Elb Philharmonie in Hamburg with the NDR Big Band and appearances at the North Sea Jazz Festival, have showcased their limitless musical exploration.

Don’t miss this fusion of musical traditions that promises to be a unique and captivating experience.

The program will not only feature jazz standards but also showcase Oriental soloists joining forces with the West End Big Band, creating an unforgettable fusion of musical cultures.

Amel Sdiri, a professional singer specializing in lyric singing, holds a degree in “Music and Musicology” from the Higher Institute of Music in Tunis and is pursuing studies at the Royal Conservatory of Brussels and a Master’s in Archaeology and Art History at the Free University of Brussels. Trained in diverse genres, from jazz to Oriental singing, Amel brings versatility and creativity to each performance and has performed across Europe, the U.S., and North Africa. In 2023, she is collaborating with top composers and preparing to release her first album.

https://www.amelsdiri.com/

Kinan Abuakel (Buzuq): Kinan Abuakel, a virtuoso musician and dedicated music educator, is celebrated for his mastery of the Buzuq. He has performed with renowned orchestras and gained recognition for his musical skills

https://www.youtube.com/@kinan.abuakel

Oene van Geel is a versatile artist, known for his roles as a composer, improvising violist, and a passionate advocate for climate awareness and the plight of refugees. His musical journey is a rich tapestry of influences, blending elements of jazz, Indian music, chamber music, and free improvisation. With a wide range of ensembles and collaborations, he has toured the globe, leaving a trail of artistic excellence. Oene has received numerous accolades, including the VPRO Boy Edgar Prize and the Sena Performers Toonzetters Prize, and is a prolific composer for music theater and chamber music, with works featured in renowned institutions and festivals. His dedication to cross-art productions and his commitment to using the power of art to bring people together and inspire positive change make Oene van Geel a true artistic adventurer.

https://oenevangeel.com/

Yiorgos Bereris will join this Big Band project.
Yiorgos Bereris, a contemporary pianist, accordionist, and composer, embarks on a musical journey inspired by jazz and Balkan traditions. His music is a mesmerizing exploration of innovative pathways.
https://www.yiorgosbereris.com/

About West End Big Band: The West End Big Band, led by trumpet player Gerard Kleijn, has been a fixture in Amsterdam’s musical landscape for four decades. This 18-piece ensemble is renowned for its instrumental expertise, offering a musical journey spanning a century of jazz and pop music. With the exceptional vocalist Dieke van Hoften, they perform regularly in various venues and at festivals, play concerts for Lindy Hop dancers, and organize performances with young talented soloists.

https://westendbigband.nl/

• Conductor: Gerard Kleijn

• Saxophones: Marten Japenga, Marga de Rooij, Guus van der Meer, Yond Boeke, Connor Sattely

• Trumpets: Jeanette Scholder, Jos van der Park, Romain Gachot, Jasper de Jonge

• Trombones: Gertjan Huiskes, Zach Malsom, Hans Kolfschoten, Pieter Jongert

• Piano: Yiorgos Bereris

• Guitar: Murdoch Bentvelzen

• Bass: Philip Beerendonk

• Drums: Tim Ouw

Hannibal Saad Guest guitar player.

Find out more about the West End Big Band here.

Syrian Big Band journey began in Syria in 2005, extended to Europe in 2012, and led to collaborations with established big bands worldwide. From performances at the Elb Philharmonie in Hamburg with the NDR Big Band to a tour with two big bands, including the North Sea Jazz Festival, our musical explorations know no bounds.

Don’t miss this fusion of musical traditions that promises to be a unique and captivating experience. Get your ticket and witness the harmony of the Syrian and Western musical worlds come to life.

Find out more about the West End Big Band here.

Get your ticket and witness the harmony of the Syrian and Western musical worlds come to life.

Program:

1. Soulaima

   • “Soulaima” is a renowned love song from Syria dating back to the 1950s. It was written by Nawfal Elias and composed by Khaled Abou Alnasr.

2. Ma Li Aini Absart

   • “Ma Leini Absarat” is a traditional song from Aleppo composed by the legendary musician Omar Albatch, from the early twentieth century. His exceptional use of the major scale to evoke emotions in this rarely used scale is a masterpiece.

3. Hatiha Ya Sah

   • “Mouwashah Hatiha Ya Sah” is a classical Arabic piece by Adnan Abou Alshamat, a musician from Damascus who passed away a decade ago. Interestingly, he attended a concert where this piece was performed with a big band arrangement.

4. Ayyam Shamieh (2 songs)

   • “Ayyam Shamieh” or “Damascene Days” is a traditional song from Damascus, written in the Damascene dialect, capturing the light-heartedness and respect with which the people of Damascus treat one another.

5. Nawait Aseibak (I decided to leave you)

   • “Nawait Aseibak” is a traditional song from the mid-twentieth century, composed by Kamil Shampeir from Aleppo.

6. Salam Min Saba Barada (regards from Barada)

   • “Salam Min Saba Barada” is a piece by the famous Egyptian poet Ahmad Shawqi. It was composed and sung by the legendary Egyptian artist Abdul Wahab in the 1940s, celebrating the Barada River, a significant waterway in Damascus.

7. Bein Qassioun Wa Rabwa (Between the mountain Qassioun and the river Barada)

   • “Bein Qassioun Wa Rabwa” is a classical Arabic composition by the legendary composer from Aleppo, Omar Albatch. It pays homage to the iconic mountain and river of Damascus.

8. and Many Jazz Standards tunes.

https://www.gerardkleijn.com/

Read more about the History of Jazz in Syria: https://syrian-heritage.org/jazz-lives-in-syria/