New Sounds

Episode #3510

Near East/South Asian Connections

For this New Sounds, listen to music that mixes together the traditions of South Asia and the middle East and just as far west as Turkey. Brooklyn-based Nashaz brings the Arab classical music influence to their oud-led jazz outfit, playing with scale, “Hijaz.” (Leader and oud player Brian Prunka also runs an Arabic jazz blog, as well as an oud site, for delving into the all the music theory.) Nashaz plays their CD release show TONIGHT at Drom, 6:30PM. Also, Niyaz, the Montreal-based Iranian-American group, brings the Persian influence, and features hammered dulcimer.

Then, listen to world music with an Indian cast from Natraj. Plus, Persia meets the Turkish tradition with a collaboration between Kayhan Kalhor on kemancheh (Persian spike-fiddle) and Erdal Erzincan on Turkish baglama (also called the saz, a long-necked lute.) And more.