Description
Come with us on a musical journey from the deepest Amazon forest with Amazon Ensemble, to the mystical world of Espen Jørgensen, and further to the Middle-East with Gil Ron Shama Project. Keeping with our festival tradition, there will be a jam session open to all after the concert! Come with your voice or an instrument
and be a part of this celebration of togetherness!
More on Amazon Ensemble: http://wuante.com/www.amazonensemble.org/Welcome.html
Amazon Ensemble is a world music ensemble based in Norway, with its roots in the Amazon rain-forest.
The group was established in order to preserve the rich musicality of the Amazon Indians, with a weft of innovative timbres and soundscapes inspired by the forest. The group has now broadened its musicality and uses elements from many traditions such as Indian, Brazilian and Norwegian folk music.
The ensemble is led by the Brazilian musicians Eduardo Agni and Txai Fernando – both officially initiated in different indigenous traditions of the Amazon – and the norwegian instrumentalist Sigmund Vatvedt, who for years has been working diligently in the study of musical traditions of ethnic cultures. This trio of strong musical cohesion is enhanced by the participation of special guests, master musicians from different backgrounds, united with the common goal to alert the world to the beauty of nature and the value of diversity, through art.
Espen Jørgensen:
Espen Jørgensen is a Norwegian musician who works with improvisations on acoustic guitar, e-bow and percussion instruments. He is keen on creating an atmosphere with his music that is natural and without strain, taking his inspiration from the magic that happens in the moment!
More on Gil Ron Shama: http://gilronshama.com
Gil Ron Shama is known as a writer, musician, artist and an ambassador of culture and good will on behalf of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Muslim countries. He was one of the founders and lead singers of Sheva, a unique world music ensemble including both Muslim and Jewish members. The band’s main theme was to incorporate both Hebrew and Arabic texts, traditions and call for peace between the conflicted nations and around the world.
Today, Gil continues his artistic work incorporating world music sounds together with poetry of the Jewish tradition, African rhythms beating alongside electronic beats – the ancient touches the futuristic and cultures meet beyond space and time. He travels around the world, studying drum rhythms and stories from tribes and locals. In Israel, he has founded theatres and theatre groups, acting, directing and performing throughout the country.
The core of Gil’s work is to connect between Judaism and Islam, the theological, cultural and human likeness of the two religions and the ways in which the similarities can be emphasized over the differences.