Tiruvai

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Al-Andalus
____Between Antiquity & the Renaissance,˜Al-Andalus’ refers to the Islamic empire in Spain which spanned the 8th-15th centuries. A unique moment in world history, Al-Andalus was where three worlds met. Under Moorish rule, Muslims, Jews and Christians lived together in relative peace & harmony inspiring a calm exchange of ideas and cultural flowering. These diverse cultures came together for a cultural explosion forming a unique social fabric.

____This Andalusian tradition is our contemporary creative inspiration, a thread connecting many musical and cultural traditions. What is especially unique about Al-Andalus is that in addition to performing traditional Spanish & Arabo-Andalusian works, Al-Andalus also excels in composing contemporary works based on the Andalusian legacy. A creative journey that mirrors cross-cultural communication, subtly uniting sound and movement, merging poetry and fine arts, the old and new are entwined, captivating the audience with colorful intensity and beauty.

____The performance group Al-Andalus began with Tarik and Julia Banzi together with Rasgui Boujemaa in Madrid, Spain in 1986 and was officially founded 1989 in Portland, Oregon by Tarik & Julia Banzi and Margarita Bruce. It has performed, given master classes, and offered lecture demonstrations to diverse audiences in Europe and the U.S.A.

____A group of 2-9 artists (musicians, singers, dancers, visual artists). The members are from many diverse cultures including African, Arab, Spanish, Sephardic, Hispanic, Persian and South Indian communities. Respectfully uniting the past with the present, performing traditional works from these cultures with native artists as well as create new works uniting our cultural pasts, forging a graceful and distinctive ensemble sound.

_____A culmination of years of performing together, much of this music was recorded and mixed while the comet Hyakutake filled our northern skies (1996). It is a comet which passes the earth only once every 18,000 years and its presence in the sky filled us with awe and inspiration. We hope this recording illuminates your life the way it has ours. May peace be with you.

1. Maitreem 3:39 Arr.: Tarik & Julia Banzi, Vocals: Ranjani Krishnan, Lyrics: K. Paramaharya (sung in Sanskrit). Tuning: M.S. Subalakshmi. (Tuning in Carnatic music is blending lyrics with the characteristic features of a chosen scale). Ranjani interprets a prayer for world peace composed for a United Nations event. Flamenco traces its roots to Indian music.

2. Song of the Water 5:51 Tarik and Julia Banzi. Water is our first music even before we are born. The peoples of Al-Andalus were well aware of the music of water, and utilized it wherever possible throughout their homes and palaces in the form of water clocks, fountains, pools and even handrails cascading with water.

3. White Shadows 4:14 Tarik Banzi The oud is the parent of the Renaissance lute and guitar. The oud’s unique possibilities as a concert instrument gleam in this improvised solo by Tarik.

4. Jinete 5:26 Tarik & Julia Banzi. Garcia Lorca was one of Spain’s greatest poets and playwrights. His writings were influenced by early translations of Arabigo Andalus poetry. This is a song originally composed for Lorca’s play Bodas de Sangre.

5. Thiruvai Pannindh 5:51 Arr.: Tarik and Julia Banzi. Vocals: Ranjani Krishnan. Lyrics: Bharatiyar (freedom struggler of India). Sung in the Tamil language. This song addresses the fate and uncertainty of life. "We depend on fate to be triumphant. Knowing this, why do we get troubled?"

6. Taktokah: 4:24 Tarik & Julia Banzi. The pattern 9/8 is the basic rhythm of the taktokah, a type of music of Andalusian origin still played in pueblos of Morocco.

7. Rhythmic Rain: 4:06 Tarik Banzi The fabric of time is explored in this improvised solo on darbuka. It exemplifies the immense range of sounds available on this clay drum.

8. Nabil: 5:24 Tarik & Julia Banzi Additional performers: Rasgui Boujemaa, Billy Oskay. Based on a Classical Arabic 10/8 rhythm called Samaii Thakil. "To your soul, the noblest soul. To your soul, Oh... Nabil...."

9. A la una yo naci: 5:35 Traditional Ladino, Arr. & performed by Tarik & Julia Banzi. Vocals: Ranjani Krishnan. Viola: Billy Oskay. A traditional love song of the Jews of Al-Andalus, or Sephardim. It is sung in Ladino a language closely akin to Castilian Spanish." At one I was born. At two I grew up. At three I took a lover. At four I married. Soul, life, and heart..."

10. The Nineteen: 2:07 Tarik Banzi. A water piece in the 19/4 Classical Arabic rhythm called Al-Aufar. It uses water as a percussive instrument.

11. Martil: 4:44 Composed, performed by Tarik & Julia Banzi with piano of Joe Heinemann. This piece is one of a series of original pieces dedicated to water and recalls the hypnotic effects of the sea. Martil is a seaside pueblo in the North of Morocco.

12. Departure: 3:27 Tarik Banzi. Making the Samaii Thakil (slow 10/8) a Samii Saria'(fast 10/8) to bring it firmly into our times.

13. Illumination: 2:59 Tarik and Julia Banzi. Based on the flamenco rhythm Soliare por Buleria which are the quintessence of introspective dancing, restrained yet passionate, noble yet sensitive.
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Hi friends! Our newest CD 'Alchemy' is now out! (3/16/06). Also, there is a PBS special showing across USA starting 12/22/05 "Three Faiths, One God" with music from our different cd's and we were filmed live for it (www.threefaithsonegod.com). Keep an eye out for it!


Al-Andalus Contemporary Andalusian Music, Art & Dance
"A delightful proposition of exquisite music" El Pais; Madrid, Spain
"The best example of cultural integration" YA; Madrid,Spain.
"A new musical language uniting East & West" Aramco World
"Full of musical gems, an Ageless mix!" The Oregonian
"These multi-talented performers achieve teleportation for the senses/ The haunting, soulful music they made lingered in my mind next morning" Pop Arts