Kan Zaman
An independent non-profit organization in Southern California, we are comprised of volunteer musicians, singers and staff from diverse backgrounds. Our mission is to preserve traditional Arabic music and educate and entertain the general public through performing quality and authentic renditions. This happens not only through concerts, but also through demonstrations at schools which may be coupled with lectures.
The material we draw from includes classical, folk and traditional urban songs from various Arab countries. While we select pieces from the legendary and popular, we endeavor to reintroduce works from now all but forgotten master composers. This is a perpetual pursuit ranging from hunting for sheet music to hunting down almost esoteric recordings in search of exciting and enjoyable music. Often, there is consultation with other music scholars. More recently, we benefit from fans of music presenting mp3s of old 78s. We are always open to being led to more material; if you want to share something with us to consider, please send an email to the address on our kanzaman.org site.
The group plays traditional musical instruments such as the qanun (zither), 'ud (lute), nay (reed flute), kaman (violin), riqq (tambourine) and darabukkah (goblet drum). As we perform pieces adapted to the European-influenced orchestra, we also include at times clarinets and cello, - not Arab instruments in origin, but firmly placed within Middle Eastern orchestras for the past century.
A major aspect to our concerts is our inclusion of muwashshahat, a form of poetic song originated in ninth century Arab Spain, although those we perform tend to be from Egypt and the Levant. However, what makes our community ensemble unique, despite having inspired similar ensembles in other countries, is that our concerts feature full waslat (suites) using different maqamat (modes), rather than playing mere collections of songs. For a recent example, please refer to the blog for our July 22, 2006 concert at the Barnsdall Art Center and see the play list.
The Artistic Director
Co-founder of Kan Zaman and artistic director since its inception, Wael Kakish obtained his Bachelors from Yarmouk University in Jordan with a major in English and American Literature and a minor in Western Classical and Middle Eastern Music. Despite passing up the opportunity to pursue a doctorate to devote time and energy to Kan Zaman, Mr. Kakish's ability and knowledge are recognized and he holds associate professor positions teaching overview and practicum courses in Arabic music at UC Santa Barbara, Cal Poly Pomona and CSU San Diego. This year, he had taken up the position of director with Aswat Ensemble, in the Bay Area. Additionally, he teaches Middle-East percussion workshops at the Barnsdall Arts Center in Hollywood, California, and is invited annually to teach workshops at Lark-in-the-Mornings Lark Camp in Mendocino, California.
Live at The Little Bridges Theater, Claremont March 2006
Live at Time Warner Cable, Van Nuys, CA. Dec 2006
