The internationally acclaimed musician and composer Seyed Ali Jaberi and the Hamdel Ensemble were thrilled to return to live music performance with an event
The intimate event celebrated the life, poetry, and spiritual beliefs of the 13th-century Persian poet, Rumi and connected audiences to the rich traditions of Sufism through music and whirling dervish dance.
“Captivating and spell-binding. Brimming with powerful intensity.”
Seyed Ali Jaberi is a world-renowned, award-winning maestro of the tanbour. His albums are hugely popular with fans of traditional Sufi music and world music lovers alike. Two of his albums – Psalms of Loneliness (2010) and All Because of Love (2018) – received four-star reviews in Songlines. In 2019, with CAN’s support, Seyed Ali Jaberi and the Hamdel Ensemble toured to HOME, Manchester; Birmingham Symphony Hall; Sage Gateshead; St George’s Hall, Bristol; the Migration Matters Festival, Sheffield; the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Glasgow to huge audience and critical acclaim. Seyed Ali Jaberi and the Hamdel Ensemble were CAN Artists-in-Residence in 2019.
Here’s a performance from 2017 at the RNCM (Royal Northern College of Music), Manchester, of Seyed Ali Jaberi and the Hamdel Ensemble performing with the renowned Iranian singer, Sina Sarlak.
Seyed Ali Jaberi shared some of his thoughts about the Covid-19 pandemic and his return to playing live music:
“I tried to make the most of my privacy and focus more on music during lockdown. When the weather was good, I was writing music in my back garden. In some ways, it was easier to connect with artists from all over the world through the internet and social media. I think we’ve learnt how technology can help us as artists.”
“I did a lot of thinking during the pandemic. I think Covid has taught people – both rich and poor – a great lesson. Health and love are important. We must learn a great lesson from this situation that we must always be friends and helpers of each other. We must reach out to other human beings.”
“The return to performing live makes me very happy. Simply put, artists need that face-to-face contact with audiences. We need connection, we need their encouragement. This love gives us more energy to create more music.”
Audiences included world music fans as well as the Persian community who rarely have an opportunity to hear Sufi music.
This event was just one of CAN’s series of events celebrating Libraries of Sanctuary where three library services – Manchester, Bolton, and Oldham – received the Library of Sanctuary Award.
The event was presented by CAN, in partnership with Manchester Central Library and Crossing Footprints.
Follow @seyedalijaberi for the latest news of performances.
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