Musical dialogue: Exegesis in Yemen [Archives:2008/1133/Reportage]

By: Yemen Times Staff
As a part of their tour in the Middle East, the Exegesis Jazz Quartet performed in Yemen in live concerts in both Sana'a and Aden. In addition to the concerts the group had a special session with the Yemeni Music House where they met with Yemeni musicians and played with them in a beautiful musical dialogue that exposed both groups to the other's style and performance.

“Music is a universal language that knows no boundaries and has no limits and we are happy to meet with our colleagues and exchange experiences with them,” said Fuad Al-Shargabi general manager of the Yemeni Music House.

The visiting musicians also met with Yemeni music male and female students and were impressed by their performance and enthusiasm. Al-Shargabi presented the group with Traditional Yemeni CDs as a souvenir from Yemen.

Exegesis performed some joint songs with the Yemeni Music House and Yemeni musicians at the concert last Monday at the Yemeni Cultural Center in Sana'a.

The event, which was attended by a huge crowd, included a session whereby Yemeni music was played using Jazz instruments in addition to performing Yemeni music using traditional tools by Yemeni musicians.

Exegesis bases its music in the belief that symbols, scientific thought, astronomical ideas, numerical ratios and conceptual art and architecture can be expressed in sound. The group seeks to bridge the gap between modern music technology and improvisation, using live samplers and interactive music software to create the sonic illusion that there are more than four musicians performing. In 2002, Exegesis released their debut album, The Order of Chaos.

“This is going to be very exciting as it will be a chance for us to interact with and learn about the music of this incredibly fertile and creative region of the world. It will also be an amazing opportunity to visit a region rarely frequented by American musicians,” commented the group on their tour in Bahrain, Yemen, Oman, UAE and Kuwait.

The tours come under a special program of the U.S. Department of State: The Rhythm Road – American Music Abroad, produced in partnership with New York's Jazz at Lincoln Center.
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