DESCRIPTION:
Complete video available for free at http://fora.tv/2012/04/10/Simon_Shaheen_The_Call_Songs_Of_Arab_Pride_Dignity

Simon Shaheen performs "Ibnil Balad" composed by Mohamed Abdel Wahab.

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Marking the first anniversary of the Arab Spring, the Palestinian-American oud and violin maestro, composer, and bandleader Simon Shaheen will perform an evening of songs and freedom anthems of the 1950s that have found new resonance in the recent Middle Eastern and North African revolutions. He will also perform the New York premiere of his composition "The Call" with guest dancer Elena Lentini.

Simon Shaheen is a Palestinian-American oud and violin virtuoso and composer. At the age of 2, Shaheen moved with his family to Haifa, but spent most of the weekends in Tarshiha, an Arabic town under Israeli sovereignty. The Shaheen family is known for its musicality with music instructor and father Hikmat, oud-playing and instrument-making brother Najib, violinist and oud playing William, and singing sisters Laura and Rosette.