Amir ElSaffar, "one of the most promising figures in jazz today" (Chicago Tribune) returns to the Harris stage with Two Rivers Ensemble, his sextet of jazz and Middle Eastern musicians.
Returning to the Harris stage after performing with Ragamala Dance Company in 2018-19; composer, trumpeter, santur player, and vocalist Amir ElSaffar has been described as “uniquely poised to reconcile jazz and Arabic music,” (the Wire) and “one of the most promising figures in jazz today” (Chicago Tribune). A recipient of the Doris Duke Performing Artist Award and a 2018 US Artist Fellow, ElSaffar is an expert trumpeter with a classical background, conversant not only in the language of contemporary jazz, but has created techniques to play microtones and ornaments idiomatic to Arabic music that are not typically heard on the trumpet. Additionally, he is a purveyor of the centuries old, now endangered, Iraqi maqam tradition, which he performs actively as a vocalist and santur player.
The Two Rivers Ensemble is a sextet of jazz and Middle Eastern musicians that has made innovative strides in using the maqam modal system to transform the jazz idiom. Deeply rooted in musical forms of Iraq and nearby regions, the music still speaks the language of swing, improvisation and group interaction, and the resultant sound is distinct from other contemporary cross-cultural musical fusions. After 8 years of extensive performing and touring and the release of two critically- acclaimed albums on Pi Recordings, Inana (2011) and Two Rivers (2007), the Two Rivers Ensemble has developed an instinctive ease with ElSaffar’s highly complex music, enabling the band to play with a creativity that transcends pure technical challenge in a style that is rooted in tradition, while creating an entirely new aesthetic.
Beginning at 6PM, Mix at Six is the series the Chicago Tribune said “ups the cultural ante considerably” features high energy, fast-paced programs after work and opportunities for audiences to engage with featured performers. Specialty cocktails and pop-up food truck fare will be available for purchase in the lobby.
The approximate run time of this performance is 60 minutes with no intermission.
Sign Language interpretation will be provided for spoken content and songs with lyrics. For more information about accessible services at the Harris, please visit our Accessibility page.
