Philadelphia, PA—Philadelphia's leading presenter of groundbreaking artists, Painted Bride, takes you on a journey of alternative world culture on Jan. 7 with YEMEN BLUES—an international ensemble of nine top-flight musicians from Israel, Uruguay and New York. Led by Israeli vocalist-gimbri player Ravid Kahalani (band member to Idan Raichel), YEMEN BLUES creates a poetic hybrid groove and is hailed as “one of the exciting world music bands..." by Time Out Chicago.
YEMEN BLUES, currently on tour in North America, is a fascinating oasis for a genuine encounter between “Yemenite music and Black music from Africa and America..." They fuse “ancient roots with contemporary sound..." including blues, jazz, soul and funk to deliver a “refreshing, stirring" new sound (GoJerusalem.com). Since the ensemble's formation in 2010, and their subsequent reception for delivering a breathtaking live performance at the WOMEX and BABEL MED music fairs, YEMEN BLUES is quickly becoming an international sensation.
“The party atmosphere carries over on stage, where horn players, drummers and strummers whip up a storm," says Time Out Chicago. Allowing for patrons to move freely to the infectious global grooves, the Bride reconfigures its theater and café spaces for patrons to fully experience YEMEN BLUES.
YEMEN BLUES is Ravid Kahalani (vocals/gimbri), Omer Avital (oud/bass), Galia Hai (viola), Yoed Nir (cello), Hadar Noiberg (flute), Itamar Borochov (trumpet), Rafi Malkiel (trombone), Rony Iwryn (Latin percussion) and Itamar Doari (Middle Eastern percussion).
Painted Bride proudly presents this unique ensemble to area, world music fans in partnership with the Consulate General of Israel in Philadelphia. The State of Israel is home to a thriving and vibrant cultural life where its artists, writers, dancers, actors and musicians have made an impact far beyond their number. The Bride is a long-standing home to jazz musicians in Philadelphia since its earliest beginnings on South Street, named Top 150 Jazz Rooms in the world by Down Beat Magazine (2010-2011). What's more, it recently announced the recipient of an Adventurous Music Programming award by CMA/ASCAP.
About YEMEN BLUES
Ravid Kahalani, who grew up to a traditional Yemenite family in Israel, learned the language and the traditional chants of his origin and extended his influences to the areas of blues, soul and jazz from West Africa and America as well as classical opera singing. When Ravid joined forces with highly talented and insightful bassist-composer Omer Avital in 2010, finally, Ravid's original Yemenite songs, his love for jazz, blues and African music came together in one musical project—the musical concept of YEMEN BLUES was born. An ultimate celebration of colorful grooves, the pure happiness and deep emotion of Yemenite singing, an innovative sound with a potent message, YEMEN BLUES is “a language you will understand no matter where you come from," said singer Ravid Kahalani.
Press Comments:
“A heady and explosive brew of Yemenite-Jewish piyyut, West African music, and American Jazz and blues..."—Midnight East
“YEMEN BLUES is THE discovery of the year"—WDR Funkhaus Europa, Germany
..."A seamless hybrid of funk, highlife, blues, Bedouin folk, carnatic tradition, soul, gypsy punk, Arabian classical, psych and jazz. Phew..."—Time Out Chicago
“The nine-piece band around the highly gifted singer and gimbri-player Ravid Kahalani has founded a new genre. A musical genre that mixes Yemenite poetry and soul, blues, funk, classical music and Afro-Caribbean roots."—WDR Funkhaus Europa, Germany
“Ravid Kahalani creates a canvas printed both with deep emotions when his rasping laments tear open the heavens, but also with popular jubilation when the percussions, the oud, the cello and the brass instruments interweave in a harmonious dance that is complex and resolutely modern."—World Connection Agency
YEMEN BLUES, currently on tour in North America, is a fascinating oasis for a genuine encounter between “Yemenite music and Black music from Africa and America..." They fuse “ancient roots with contemporary sound..." including blues, jazz, soul and funk to deliver a “refreshing, stirring" new sound (GoJerusalem.com). Since the ensemble's formation in 2010, and their subsequent reception for delivering a breathtaking live performance at the WOMEX and BABEL MED music fairs, YEMEN BLUES is quickly becoming an international sensation.
“The party atmosphere carries over on stage, where horn players, drummers and strummers whip up a storm," says Time Out Chicago. Allowing for patrons to move freely to the infectious global grooves, the Bride reconfigures its theater and café spaces for patrons to fully experience YEMEN BLUES.
YEMEN BLUES is Ravid Kahalani (vocals/gimbri), Omer Avital (oud/bass), Galia Hai (viola), Yoed Nir (cello), Hadar Noiberg (flute), Itamar Borochov (trumpet), Rafi Malkiel (trombone), Rony Iwryn (Latin percussion) and Itamar Doari (Middle Eastern percussion).
Painted Bride proudly presents this unique ensemble to area, world music fans in partnership with the Consulate General of Israel in Philadelphia. The State of Israel is home to a thriving and vibrant cultural life where its artists, writers, dancers, actors and musicians have made an impact far beyond their number. The Bride is a long-standing home to jazz musicians in Philadelphia since its earliest beginnings on South Street, named Top 150 Jazz Rooms in the world by Down Beat Magazine (2010-2011). What's more, it recently announced the recipient of an Adventurous Music Programming award by CMA/ASCAP.
About YEMEN BLUES
Ravid Kahalani, who grew up to a traditional Yemenite family in Israel, learned the language and the traditional chants of his origin and extended his influences to the areas of blues, soul and jazz from West Africa and America as well as classical opera singing. When Ravid joined forces with highly talented and insightful bassist-composer Omer Avital in 2010, finally, Ravid's original Yemenite songs, his love for jazz, blues and African music came together in one musical project—the musical concept of YEMEN BLUES was born. An ultimate celebration of colorful grooves, the pure happiness and deep emotion of Yemenite singing, an innovative sound with a potent message, YEMEN BLUES is “a language you will understand no matter where you come from," said singer Ravid Kahalani.
Press Comments:
“A heady and explosive brew of Yemenite-Jewish piyyut, West African music, and American Jazz and blues..."—Midnight East
“YEMEN BLUES is THE discovery of the year"—WDR Funkhaus Europa, Germany
..."A seamless hybrid of funk, highlife, blues, Bedouin folk, carnatic tradition, soul, gypsy punk, Arabian classical, psych and jazz. Phew..."—Time Out Chicago
“The nine-piece band around the highly gifted singer and gimbri-player Ravid Kahalani has founded a new genre. A musical genre that mixes Yemenite poetry and soul, blues, funk, classical music and Afro-Caribbean roots."—WDR Funkhaus Europa, Germany
“Ravid Kahalani creates a canvas printed both with deep emotions when his rasping laments tear open the heavens, but also with popular jubilation when the percussions, the oud, the cello and the brass instruments interweave in a harmonious dance that is complex and resolutely modern."—World Connection Agency
