Al-Bustan's Seeds of Culture

Thu., July 12, 7:30 p.m., University Museum, 3260 Spruce St.

by Mary Armstrong

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Published: Jul 10, 2007

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Creative coexistence among Muslims, Jews and Christians seems like a cutting-edge endeavor today. But Al-Bustan's Seeds of Culture reminds us that over a thousand years ago in Andalucia/Aldalusia/Al-Andaluz (now part of Spain), the Moors cultivated knowledge and culture from the Muslim perspective, but drew from all sources. To spread that, local dumbek drumming legend Joe Tayoun has gathered a dozen of Philly's best players � Arab, North African, flamenco and Jewish � for A Night In Andalucia.

Before the players hit the first note there was a discussion of what Andalucia meant to each of them. "Everybody got so excited," recalls Tayoun. "It hasn't been forced. It's the true spirit of living together." Kenny Ulansey, best known for his jazz work, says, "I've been a fan of Joey and Roger [Mgridichian] for decades." But he's not a ordinarily a player of Middle Eastern tunes. Ulansey recalls at the initial meeting, "Everybody was so deep into it, so knowledgeable. I said, 'Look, now's the time to let me back out gracefully ... ' and they wouldn't hear of it."

Ulansey describes the resulting summit as "flamenco meets Morocco in an Istanbul coffee house with jazz licks over the top." Four of their songs include the entire dozen with alternating verses in Spanish, Arabic and Ladino � including "Lama Bada," a standard which Tayoun says unequivocally every Spaniard and Arab knows by heart.

Thu., July 12, 7:30 p.m., University Museum, 3260 Spruce St., 267-809-2668, www.albustanseeds.org.

 

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