Re: A new-ish band to check out...

[Mark Kirschbaum <mkirschb...>]

On Thu, 4 Feb 1993, Benla Den wrote:

> Hailing from the city of Bukhara in exotic Uzbekistan, the Jewish ensemble
> Shashmaqam will present a program encompassing the diverse musical tradtions
> of Central Asia. This concert is Feb. 6 at 8p.m. at the International House
> in Philadelphia. Anyone heard these folks?

     Bukhara was a major Jewish area and had a very active Jewish cultural
life until most of their activities were halted by the Communists. They
have several large centers in Israel and the United States, particularly
in Forest Hills, NY (my hometown!). This particular music group was
discovered by Ted Levine, the ethnomusicologist most known for his
recordings of Tuvan throat singing for the Smithsonian. They are all
classically trained Central Asian performers, and their albums are
marvelous. I think I listed them in a previous posting, as their CD's are
commercially available on Rounder records (or whoever puts out the
Smithsonian material).
     Please go! and tell us how it was......
                                              Mark Kirschbaum, MD

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