Christiane Karam & ZiLZALA profile picture

Christiane Karam & ZiLZALA

About Me

Led by acclaimed vocalist / arranger Christiane Karam, the ZilZALA Middle Eastern Ensemble is a Boston-based World Music band that draws from several musical cultures to re-interpret classical, traditional and folk Arabic Music. The outcome is a powerful and uplifting blend of Eastern and Western influences that range from Lebanese, Egyptian, Turkish, Greek and North African grooves and melodies, to contemporary Jazz harmonies, that creates a truly unique musical experience. The ZilZALA Ensemble has been playing to packed houses in Boston and New York, bringing together music lovers from the Middle East with a western audience that is eager to learn about and enjoy the exotic middle eastern rhythms and melodies. ZilZALA was also nominated Best World Music Act in Boston in the 2006 and 2007 Phoenix Best Music Poll.In addition to leading the ZilZALA ensemble, Christiane writes and performs in various musical settings, and this year had the privilege to perform at Carnegie Hall with Bobby McFerrin and 19 other vocalists from around the world. Christiane is also an award-winning songwriter and is on the faculty of Berklee College of Music as a voice, ensemble and songwriting teacher.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 7/22/2007
Band Website: www.zilzala.com
Band Members: Christiane Karam (Voice, Percussion) Anastassia Zachariadou (Kanun, Flute) Eylem Basaldi (Violin) Aboud Nasser Agha ('Ud, Voice) Petr Cancura (Clarinet, Sax) Nicole Rampersaud (Trumpet) Giacomo Merega (Bass) Tupac Mantilla (Percussion) Engin Gunaydin (Percussion) Eric Doob (Perucussion)
Influences: I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4
Sounds Like: "East and West collide in the music of the ZiLZALA Middle Eastern Ensemble...This international cast of musicians provide a distinctive flavor and an irresistible rhythm." Luke O'Neil, the Boston Globe------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------- "Christiane Karam & ZilZALA take you on a sensuous sound journey... You'll start on the narrow winding streets of Beirut and Damascus, hop a caravan ride through the desert, make a stop at a cinema in Cairo and, from there, they might lead you... just about anywhere!" Hankus Netsky- New England Conservatory------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------ “Is there room for music that’s off the beaten-to death mainstream? There was at the BPC last week, and judging by the standing ovation Karam’s group received, we’d all like to hear more of it “- Melissa Axel, Berklee Groove------------------------------------------------------ -----------------------------------------
Record Label: None
Type of Label: Unsigned

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