OASIS was released just before the pandemic, so we didn’t fully get the chance to present the music to fans. It’ll be exciting to revisit and relive this music because it’s a highly unique project.
—Rez Abbasi
French Embassy, DC; JCTC White Eagle Hall, NJ; Firehouse 12, CT
Oasis (Enja Records/Yellowbird), the 2019 recording from award-winning guitarist and 2021 Guggenheim fellow Rez Abbasi and compelling French harpist Isabelle Olivier, makes the pairing of their respective instruments sound predestined. OASIS—Olivier Abbasi Sound In Sound—is a rich, acoustic conversation between harp and guitar, offering unique opportunities in harmony, rhythm, and texture. Joining them on stage for this pandemic-delayed tour in support of their new album is NYC-based percussionist, Michael Sarin.
Abbasi on his upcoming tour: “Oasis was released just before the pandemic, so we didn’t fully get the chance to present the music to fans. It’ll be exciting to revisit and relive this music because it’s a highly unique project.”
The east coast OASIS tour premieres Wednesday, November 3, at the Maison Francaise, Embassy of France in Washington, DC, a public event. Following that, OASIS is featured as the premiere event with the Jersey City Theater Center’s new Global Music Series on November 4. Olga Levina, Artistic Director with JCTC adds that “Oasis marks the beginning of the Global Music Series for JCTC at White Eagle Hall. It is an honor to welcome Rez Abbasi, renowned composer and guitarist from Pakistan, and Isabelle Olivier, co-creator of OASIS, to Jersey City. Our mission with the series is to highlight the diverse voices from around the globe through a distinctive offering of high-caliber music.” The tour concludes with an intimate performance of reduced capacity at jazz club, Firehouse 12 in New Haven, CT, November 5, which will also be livestreamed.
“After the astonishing version of 'My Favorite Things' which opens the album, it is through an alternation of personal compositions that the two musicians build a very original universe where traditional and ethnic scents are delicately mingled. This dreamlike and atypical music leaves a beautiful imprint over multiple listening sessions.” —JAZZ Magazine (France)
Oasis (Enja Records/Yellowbird), the 2019 recording from award-winning guitarist and 2021 Guggenheim fellow Rez Abbasi and compelling French harpist Isabelle Olivier, makes the pairing of their respective instruments sound predestined. OASIS—Olivier Abbasi Sound In Sound—is a rich, acoustic conversation between harp and guitar, offering unique opportunities in harmony, rhythm, and texture. Joining them on stage for this pandemic-delayed tour in support of their new album is NYC-based percussionist, Michael Sarin.
Abbasi on his upcoming tour: “Oasis was released just before the pandemic, so we didn’t fully get the chance to present the music to fans. It’ll be exciting to revisit and relive this music because it’s a highly unique project.”
The east coast OASIS tour premieres Wednesday, November 3, at the Maison Francaise, Embassy of France in Washington, DC, a public event. Following that, OASIS is featured as the premiere event with the Jersey City Theater Center’s new Global Music Series on November 4. Olga Levina, Artistic Director with JCTC adds that “Oasis marks the beginning of the Global Music Series for JCTC at White Eagle Hall. It is an honor to welcome Rez Abbasi, renowned composer and guitarist from Pakistan, and Isabelle Olivier, co-creator of OASIS, to Jersey City. Our mission with the series is to highlight the diverse voices from around the globe through a distinctive offering of high-caliber music.” The tour concludes with an intimate performance of reduced capacity at jazz club, Firehouse 12 in New Haven, CT, November 5, which will also be livestreamed.
About Rez Abbasi
Born in Karachi, Pakistan, schooled at the University of Southern California and the Manhattan School of Music in jazz and classical music, along with a pilgrimage in India under the guidance of master percussionist, Ustad Alla Rakha, Rez Abbasi is a vivid synthesis of all the above stated influences and genres. The top-ten guitarist in DownBeat’s Critics Poll has made New York home for the past 25 years and is considered by many to be one of the foremost modern jazz guitar players the world over.About Isabelle Olivier
Isabelle Olivier is a jazzwoman and harpist with a strong musical personality. She brings a wave of freshness and novelty to the international artistic world with her surprising and unique instrument. She won the Prix de la Villa Le Nôtre of Versailles in 2015 and was the first composer to benefit from a residency at the Potager du Roi. She is currently the worldwide ambassador of the new electro-acoustic harp Salvi ‘Rainbow.’ Isabelle Olivier wants to promote music as means of passing things on, by putting forward different ethnic groups.“After the astonishing version of 'My Favorite Things' which opens the album, it is through an alternation of personal compositions that the two musicians build a very original universe where traditional and ethnic scents are delicately mingled. This dreamlike and atypical music leaves a beautiful imprint over multiple listening sessions.” —JAZZ Magazine (France)
