"Radio Afloat" by Layale Chaker & Sarafand / Experimental Arabic Jazz

"Radio Afloat" by Layale Chaker & Sarafand / Experimental Arabic Jazz 

Presented by Terraza 7

Date: Thursday, October 24th, 2024

Time: 7:00 pm

Admission: $20 cover charge at the mezzanine.

Featuring:

• Layale Chaker   Violin, Voice
• Phillip Golub / Piano, Microtonal Synth
• Sam Minaie / Bass
• John Hadfield / Drums, Percussion

About "Radio Afloat": 

"Radiao Afloat" is an album and project by Layale Chaker & Sarafand, released in 2024. The work reflects on the intertwined destinies of people and the natural world, particularly during times of collective pain. It serves as a commentary on the ebb and flow of power, conflict, and dominance, emphasizing the vulnerability of the land and those who care for it. The project invites introspection and collective action, using music as a vessel for exploring these deep and resonant themes.

About Layale Charter:

Born in Paris but raised in Lebanon, composer and violinist Layale Chaker was raised speaking multiple languages, both linguistically and musically. Her complex sound universe, described by NPR as “beguiling” with “bright and beautiful strands… gorgeous, wine-dark swirls,” lies at the intersection of classical contemporary music, jazz, Arabic music, and improvisation. A 2020-2022 Jerome Hill Fellow, Chaker is also recipient of the 2022 Opera America Discovery 2022 Award, among many other accolades.

To open Chaker’s 2023-2024 season, she performs as violin soloist alongside Kinan Azmeh in the premiere performances of their Dawning with the New York Philharmonic and Lincoln’s Symphony Orchestra. Ruinous Gods, Chaker’s debut opera, will see its world premiere at the 2024 Spoleto Festival followed by its European premiere. A new double portrait album, featuring one disc of classical composition and one of jazz, is due on In a Circle Records in spring 2024.

Chaker’s chamber jazz quintet Sarafand takes on a residency with the University of Richmond in 2024 – exemplifying the quintet’s role within the “cultural aquifer,” or educational feeder system for future artists. The ensemble recently completed WQXR’s Artist Propulsion Lab, yielding a program of new works – called Radio Afloat – that has been recorded for an upcoming album release. Sarafand’s debut album Inner Rhyme (In a Circle Records) ranked #2 on NPR’s 10 Best Releases of 2019.

About Sam Minaie:

Sam Minaie is an Iranian American bassist, producer, and composer known for his versatility and extensive contributions to both jazz and world music. Born in Reno, Nevada, Minaie began his musical journey at the age of 8 with piano lessons before transitioning to electric and upright bass at 14. His talent quickly became evident, leading to numerous accolades in classical bass performance and professional engagements in the Reno/Tahoe area across various musical styles.

Minaie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Classical and Jazz Performance from the University of Nevada, Reno, on a full scholarship. He then moved to Los Angeles to pursue a Master of Fine Arts in Jazz Studies at the California Institute of the Arts, where he studied under jazz legend Charlie Haden and African Ewe master Alfred Ladzekpo. His time in Los Angeles established him as a sought-after bassist, leading to collaborations with some of the most respected names in the jazz world.

In 2009, Minaie relocated to New York City, where he continued to expand his career, touring globally and recording with artists such as Tigran Hamasyan, Ravi Coltrane, David Ake, and many others. His work spans a diverse range of projects, from playing tuba in Charlie Haden’s Liberation Orchestra to producing and mixing numerous albums. Minaie is also a co-leader and composer for Axis Trio and the founder of birdFood Studio in NYC, where he continues to influence the music industry through his production and engineering work.

Sam Minaie’s dynamic career, marked by his contributions as a performer, producer, and composer, makes him a prominent figure in contemporary jazz and beyond.