ARIFA
Alex Simu sax/klarinet/laptop, Mehmet Polat ud/zang, Franz von Chossy piano, Sjahin During percussie
Anatolian Alchemy is the second album by Arifa, the ensemble that colors Near, Middle Eastern and Turkish music with jazz and Balkan accents. Arifa’s debut performance at the Bimhuis received five star reviews and their first CD was released to universal acclaim. Arifa’s secret is the creative chemistry between its four members. Coming from Turkey, Romania, Germany and The Netherlands they mix influences from their surroundings with their musical backgrounds, which are rooted in classical and folk traditions from the Middle East and Central Asia.
‘Arifa combines the musical heritage of Babylon, Istanbul, Bucharest and Amsterdam with electronics and contemporary improvisations. The result transcends the sum of its parts and is a journey far into the realm of imagination.‘ (Songlines)
De Volkskrant about the album Beyond Babylon: ‘In its exquisite beauty this debut album holds up to the level of the best works of Anouar Brahem.’
Bimhuis Restaurant opens at 18:30. After the concert, the Bimhuis Café is open (free entrance).