Robert Browning Associates and Lotus Music & Dance in partnership with Brooklyn Maqam present

WAJDE AYUB & ENSEMBLE
Wasla: Soul Music of Syria

Wajde Ayub, born in Aleppo, is a classically trained Syrian mutrib (principal vocalist) who has been acclaimed for his exquisite and commanding renderings of wasla, a musical suite that incorporates composed and improvised parts.

His performances, which include muwashahat (sung poetry), layal (melismatic vocalizations) and mawwal (unmetered song), resonate with the musical ecstasy known as tarab, a heightened state of emotion similar to duende in flamenco. For over 25 years he performed with many of the major musical figures of Aleppo, and today is a leading proponent of Syrian vocal music in the US. His ensemble features a chorus and instrumentalists on ‘ud (lute), qanun (zither), nay (flute), violin, bass, cello and percussion.