Al-Andalus To Play Portland

Press Release

www.Andalus.com

AL-ANDALUS ENSEMBLE LEGACIES: 711-2011

Experience this vital, energetic and absolutely beautiful performance that unites East and West featuring the Award winning "21 String Trio" of oud, violin and flamenco guitar together with multi-lingual vocals and contemporary Andalusian dance.

DATE & TIME: One Show Only: April 9th 7:30pm

LOCATION
Kaul Auditorium, Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd. Portland, OR 97202.

Reed College Events http://events.reed.edu/ 503/777-7522, or send an email to cep@reed.edu

CONTACT: Al-Andalus Events: (503) 230-2379 WEB: www.Andalus.com Email: music@andalus.com

TICKET HOTLINE: 1-800-838-3006

Advance Tickets: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/164338 Tickets are also available at the door.

Reserved $25.00 (B) General $15.00 (C) Students, Green Card Holders $10.00.

WEB Al-Andalus: www.Andalus.com

Ticketing: : https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/164338

Reed Events: http://events.reed.edu/

HIGH RESOLTUION PHOTOS: http://andalus.com/promo.php

VIDEO PREVIEW: http://www.Andalus.com/video.php

Al-Andalus Ensemble founders Moroccan oudist Tarik Banzi and flamenco guitarist Julia Banzi perform with Grammy-winning Charlie Bisharat (violinist for phenoms Alanis Morissette, The Rolling Stones, Jane's Addiction, Yanni and others); Abu Dhabi-born, Basque contemporary flamenco dancer Laura Dubroca and multi-lingual vocalist Emily Miles to create an emotive tapestry of sight and sound. The ensemble won the VOX POP Award for the "Best

Contemporary Classical Album of 2010" and the JPF "People's Grammy Award" for "Best World Music Song of 2009" (selected from over 560,000 songs entered from 163 countries in the world's largest Independent Music Awards). The Al-Andalus Ensemble is steeped in tradition but the group beautifully and soulfully merges classical, jazz and contemporary music with music from the Middle East, North Africa and Spain to create what reviewers have called "a delightful proposition of exquisite music" (El Pais, Madrid, Spain). Historically, Al Andalus was a time when Christians, Jews & Muslims lived in peaceful co-existence (Spain 711-1492). The Al-Andalus Ensemble locates its creative impetus in the rebirth of Al-Andalus in todays cultural landscape.

A fusion between two worlds began 1300 years ago with Tarik ibn Ziyad's crossing of the Strait of Gibraltar in 711. The "Legacies 711-2011" performance is a timely and emotive musical tribute to the 1,300 years of interaction between the East and the West. Acceptance, coexistence and sharing are all focal points for the evening that serves to herald the return of spring and foster new beginnings.

The Al-Andalus Ensemble pushes the boundaries of sonority and texture to bring out performances of wonderful commitment. This collaboration yields a vigorous contemporary World-chamber ensemble that skillfully creates new and original music, retaining the essential soul and spirit of Middle Eastern, North African and European influences while fearlessly exploring new territory.

Performing to universal acclaim through a repertoire that embodies a new sonic vision that embraces our global cultural heritage, they are considered Ambassadors of Goodwill. This season the Al-Andalus Ensemble's international engagements have taken them to Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Holland, Morocco, Malaysia, Spain, Switzerland, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and the United States. Whether performing for such notables as Queen Sofia of Spain or Princess Haifa Al-Saud of Saudia Arabia Al-Andalus gives all audiences that royal treatment. The Al-Andalus Ensemble pursues a singular artistic vision that reminds us that the intricate interplay of diverse voices is the geography of cultural harmony.

The artists of the Al-Andalus Ensemble build a new artistic language that unifies Eastern & Western cultures and generates a work that is rich, layered and socially conscious, expanding the artistic horizons of both experts and novices alike. Further the advancement of international understanding, goodwill & peace by supporting a group that reflects a place and time of international understanding: Al-Andalus.

If you have any questions or require any further information, please contact: Tickets 1-800-838-3006: https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/164338 Al Andalus Events: www.Andalus.com 503-230-2379 Reed

College Events: http://events.reed.edu/ This event is co-sponsored by the Reed College Department of Music, World Affairs Council, PSU Middle East Studies Center, Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon, KBOO Radio, Portland Guitar Society.

ARTIST BIO'S

Tarik Banzi (Oud, ney, darbuka) is "a superbly gifted player" (All Music Guide) was born to an Andalusian family in Tetuan, Morocco and traces his roots back to Al-Andalus. He later lived in Madrid, Spain where he completed his doctoral studies in Fine Arts and collaborated with flamenco-jazz music masters such as Paco de Lucia, Manolo Sanlúcar, Enrique Morente and Jorge Pardo among others.

Charlie Bisharat (Violin) Grammy-winning violinist is often heard with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and has graced the albums of such phenoms as Alanis Morissette, The Rolling Stones, Jane's Addiction, Aerosmith, Yanni, Kitaro, Strunz & Farah, Don Grusin, Oscar Castro-Neves, Shadowfax and John Tesh. Bisharat has been featured in scores of soundtracks from Swordfish, Texas Rangers, Steal Big Steal Little to on-screen performances of Austin Powers Gold Member, The Drew Carey Show and Friends.

Julia Banzi (flamenco guitarist) is one of the few female flamenco guitarists worldwide. She lived in Spain for over a decade, studying flamenco with some of Spain's finest guitarists such as Manolo Sanlucar and Isidro Munoz, she holds a Doctorate degree in Ethnomusicology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and teaches guitar at Reed College and Lewis & Clark College.

Laura Dubroca was born in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirites, to Basque parents and later lived in Venezuela, Qatar, Indonesia and France. Laura has received diverse cultural influences from each one of the countries where she has lived. She began classical ballet studies at an early age and soon thereafter studied modern dance and flamenco. She studied with many of Spain's leading choreographers, including Manolo Marin, Milagros Menjibar, Carmen Ledesma and Rafael Campallo as well as Manuela Ríos, Adela Campallo, Juana Amaya, Pastora Galvan and Angeles Gabaldon. Laura lives in Madrid, Spain.

Emily Miles (Voice) has emerged as one of Portland's up-and-coming young vocalists. Born in Seattle, she brings a distinctly North American element to the Al Andalus Ensemble, adding American roots and blues influences to the group's multicultural repertoire. Emily offers stirring melodies in many different languages, captivating audiences around the world with her emotive delivery and understated presence. The Oregonian describes her voice as soulful...dark and breathy, occasionally erupting with raw power...and duende, that ineffable sadness permeating Spanish music...

FUN FACTS about Al-Andalus Ensemble and "Legacies 711-2000"

-Gibraltar is the corrupted form of Jabal al-Tariq - the mount of Tarik.
-Tarik Banzi is a direct descendant of refugees who fled from the Reconquista (reconquest of Spain, completed by the fall of Granada in 1492). His family is one of the founding families of Tetuan (intent on keeping the centuries-old musical and poetic traditions of Al-Andalus vibrant and alive today.
-Tarik Banzi's students Fain Duenas and Vicente Molino went on the form the famed World Music group Radio Tarifa.
-Julia Banzi is one of a very few female flamenco guitarists worldwide. American singer-songwriter and musician "Elliott" Smith was her guitar student for a spell.

Kaul Auditorium is on the grounds of Reed College (www.Reed.edu). Events Line 503/777-7755 Tea and snacks will be served in advance of the event and at intermission.

Assistance with access: This event is wheelchair accessible. If you require reasonable accommodations or assistance with access, please call conference & events planning, 503/777-7522, or send an email to cep@reed.edu They are sure to make it as easy as possible!