Amir Vahab | Celebrate Epiphany with Sufi Songs of Love (Rumi and Hafiz)

The repertoire of Amir Vahab and his ensemble is grounded in traditional Persian poetry and music, long known for its power to transport the listener to spiritual states through melody, improvisation, rhythm and meter — particularly that which has issued from Sufism, a spiritual stage that exists in all authentic religions. This concert-talk evening from 7-9pm celebrates the feast of the Magi as revelation to us from the Divine: literal epiphany, light, insight and navigation of new pathways as a result of one’s epiphanies.

“Music should be so powerful such that one is powerlessly dragged to the unknown. It should invade the listener’s mind to the point of losing awareness.”— Amir Vahab

Amir Alan Vahab is one of New York’s most celebrated and distinguished composer / vocalists of Sufi and folk music. He sings in many different languages with a unique mystical style, weaving together Persian, Turkish, and Azeri instrumentals and songs set to 13th-14th century poetry from Rumi, Hafiz and Yunus Emre.

Since 1981, Mr. Vahab has composed eclectic music for theatre, film and performed for several television and radio stations in the United States. His performances have been recognized worldwide and have inspired many music students to appreciate the classical delicacy of the unique sounds created by the mystical instruments that he’s mastered.

The New York Times calls him the “ambassador for a silenced music.” In his work, Amir Vahab tries first of all to illustrate the beauty of Iranian traditional music, which he believes is part of the global heritage, and needs to be both taught and preserved. Secondly, he has attempted to take new approaches to traditional works in order to attract the young generation of music enthusiasts — a venture which has proven most successful.

This event is organized by Mr. Vahab’s non-political and non-profit Tanbour Institute, an organization dedicated to fostering awareness and appreciation of the world’s cultures among our diverse students and audiences. In these troubled times, it is ever more important to seek better insights and more understanding of the rich ethnicities of the world. Tanbour Institute hopes to pursue this quest with the positive, joyous, healing power of the world’s ancient and modern musical traditions. The ultimate goal is to develop a holistic paradigm, one that integrates cultures by promoting cross-cultural understanding and cooperation.

Location: Church of St. Edward the Martyr, 14 E. 109th St., NY, NY 10029

For more information visit http://tanbour.org