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6th Concert Gala Features MESTO Orchestra Lead by Fiery Maestro Nabil Azzam and Morocco's 'Golden Voice' Karima Skalli
The 6th annual Arab American National Museum Concert Gala, at 8 p.m. Saturday, October 17 will feature a stunning live performance by the world renowned MESTO – Multi Ethnic Star Orchestra, a 40-piece orchestra conducted by the esteemed music director Nabil Azzam, with special guest vocalist Moroccan-born Karima Skalli, known as the “Golden Voice.”
Under the baton of Maestro Azzam, MESTO and Skalli will perform Arab music as never heard before, featuring the exciting instrumental and vocal works of Muhammad Abd al-Wahhab, Baligh Hamdi, Rahbani Bros., Farid El-Atrache, Muhammad Abdo, Nabil Azzam and many more.
This festive, black-tie-optional fundraiser at the Max M. Fisher Music Center, 3711 Woodward Ave. in downtown Detroit, celebrates the first and only Arab American museum in the United States and generates up to 10% of its annual operating budget, providing vital support to the AANM’s cutting-edge programs.
A wide range of ticket prices from $25-$500 make this very special event affordable for all. Tickets are available for online purchase at http://www.accesscommunity.org
For more information about tickets and sponsorship opportunities, contact Nissrine Hussein at 313.583.3360 or nhussein@accesscommunity.org.
Artist Biographies
MESTO’s conductor and founder, Nabil S. Azzam, Ph.D., is accomplished in both classical European and Middle Eastern musical styles. He graduated with a B.A. and B.Mus. from the Rubin Academy of Music in Tel Aviv and an M.A. in Musicology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He earned his doctorate in music from the University of California in Los Angeles.
In 1977, Azzam established and chaired the first conservatory of music in his birthplace, Nazareth. He has been acknowledged by several heads of state for his peace efforts and has taught at UCLA, the University of Redlands and the University of California in Santa Barbara. He founded MESTO in 2001 because of his firm commitment to building bridges of cultural tolerance and understanding between East and West through music.
Maestro Azzam is a seasoned conductor, talented composer and arranger as well as a versatile violinist and virtuoso Arabic ‘Ud instrumentalist. He has arranged a majority of the 90 or so compositions in MESTO’s repertoire and has composed several of them, utilizing his thorough understanding of both western music theory and the “3/4 tones” or “red notes” used in traditional Arabic and Asian music.
He is currently writing two books: The Composer of Egypt: M. Abd al-Wahhab, and The Complete Collection of Songs: A tribute to Abd al-Wahhab, with an introductory analysis and commentary.
After many years of waiting, Nabil Azzam finally took control and leadership to establish MESTO – Multi Ethnic Star Orchestra. After a long period of preparation, a phone call was made to cellist Dr. Janice Foy. On the line was Nabil Azzam who announced to his colleague his desire to form a new orchestra. Other calls followed and the orchestra was formed in September 2000.
MESTO’s debut concert was held on March 11, 2001. That concert was a milestone for the orchestra and the audience alike. The variety of music was indicative of the unique path of MESTO. The reaction of the audience was stunning. Developing and promoting MESTO is Maestro Azzam’s primary goal.
Among Nabil Azzam’s recordings are “The Crescent,” the first CD released by MESTO; “The Violin Sings” for violin and orchestra, “Palm and Shadows,” for poetry accompanied by violin, ‘ud and percussion. Both albums are on Nazareth Production Records. Azzam can also be heard on numerous other recordings on different labels. He recorded for numerous American singers. As previously mentioned, his list of compositions includes pieces for solo instruments, orchestra, ensembles and voice. Azzam composes in both Middle Eastern and Western styles.
MESTO personifies Nabil Azzam’s extreme love for music, and his desire to bring about a global cultural understanding and tolerance through the language and medium of music and musicians. He says, “This is my only way.”
Morocco and the entire Arab World can take pride in seeing the rise of the next diva of Arab song, Karima Skalli, who will inevitably reach incredible heights rarely seen today, but reminiscent of the age of giants of the last century. The native of the city of Fes was discovered at the age of nine when she sang Umm Kulthum songs at family gatherings.
As she developed her repertoire, she sang the works of other great singers but took special interest in Asmahan, the late Syrian Druz princess who moved to Egypt as a child with her mother and later famous brother Farid al-Atrache. Asmahan died at a young age in a mysterious accident after having left an incredible set of songs that are still appreciated by many generations of music enthusiasts.
Skalli is inspired by Asmahan’s voice. After early collaboration with the Moroccan composer Said Chraibi, she is now in demand for collaboration with the top Arab poets and composers. In her elegant and gentle style, Skalli succeeded where many have failed by taking her art seriously, received musical training to enhance her incredible talent. Skalli took her Moroccan heritage, home of the Andalusían arts, to Aleppo, Beirut, Cairo and the entire globe to continue a journey of learning music of varying backgrounds, showing her discipline and professional approach to the art, which had earned her tremendous respect.
Already called the Golden Voice, among other titles, in a short period of time, she became the featured artists of renowned festivals from Lebanon’s Beiteddin to Cairo’s Arab Music Festival. Thanks to Karima Skalli, the endangered state of tarab and enchantment is alive and prospering.
The Arab American National Museum documents, preserves, celebrates, and educates the public on the history, life, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans. It serves as a resource to enhance knowledge and understanding about Arab Americans and their presence in this country. The Arab American National Museum is a project of ACCESS, a Dearborn, Michigan-based nonprofit human services and cultural organization. Learn more at www.arabamericanmuseum.org and www.accesscommunity.org