DESCRIPTION:
Nashaz performing the composition "Jurjinah" live in New York.
www.nashazmusic.com
Album available at bandcamp: http://nashaz.bandcamp.com
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/album/nashaz/id690699892
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Jurjinah was composed by Brian Prunka. One of his earlier compositions (previously covered by Portland, OR pianist/composer Andrew Oliver's band "The Ocular Concern" in a unusual free-jazz context), this is an extended piece with several sections; it begins and ends using the 10/8 Jurjina rhythm popular in Iraqi music, with the middle section evocative of classic Egyptian music in a typical 4/4 bellydance rhythm (Beledi). It also moves through several maqamat, or Arabic modes, including Nahawand, Nawa'athat, Hijaz, and Kurd, with touches of Saba Zamzam.

Brian Prunka leads the band Nashaz, he has been playing the oud since 1998 after initially hearing the recordings of Anouar Brahem, Rabih Abou-Khalil, and Simon Shaheen. He studied oud and maqam under his mentor, Simon Shaheen and also played guitar in Simon's group Qantara in tours around the United States as well as Haifa and Ramallah. In addition, he has performed with the Vancouver International Orchestra, Zikrayat, Beth Bahia Cohen, Ravish Momin, Michael Bates and others.

Other members performing here are Kenny Warren on trumpet, Nathan Herrera on alto saxophone, Brian Hotlz on bass, George Mel on percussion, and Vin Scialla on riq.

I've had a number of people ask what I was using to amplify the oud—it's an AKG C411 condenser mic, attached to the inside of the soundboard.