The Arab Blues

Weasel Walter

The Arab Blues makes their Elastic Arts Debut, tracing a trajectory between tradition and innovation, and embodying the call of tradition and the response of the Arab diaspora. They’ll be sharing a double bill with a three improvising musicians with a deep history together who have regrouped in Chicago after scattering across the globe for many years - Josh Berman, Aram Shelton, and Weasel Walter.

8:30 PM : THE ARAB BLUES

Rami Gabriel - oud, buzuq, guitar
Karim Nagi - riqq, tabla

9:30 PM : BERMAN/SHELTON/WALTER

Josh Berman - cornet
Aram Shelton - alto saxophone
Weasel Walter - drums

$15 - Tickets Available at the Door

ABOUT THE BAND

The Arab Blues traces a trajectory between tradition and innovation, and embodies the call of tradition and the response of the diaspora. The synthesis these two musicians create is an auditory expression of not only the power and persistence of tradition but equally the validity of transformations under the unique cultural conditions we inhabit. 

The basis of their work is the Turath, the canon of classical Middle Eastern compositions and improvisational techniques. This rich heritage consists of melodic and rhythmic exposition and instrumental interaction at countless levels of depth. They interpret these forms in the context of the sounds of the contemporary North American metropole. In this project, the equally lush traditions of Blues and Jazz in Chicago provide the context of how they approach and assimilate the Turath. This marriage of forms is fruitful because of the emotional range of the Blues and the improvisational flexibility and ingenuity of Jazz.