Qawwali Gospel Creation

Part of 2009 Spring Season and Muslim Voices: Arts & Ideas

Jun 13 at 8pm

Faiz Ali Faiz & Ensemble
Craig Adams & the Voices of New Orleans

With its pulsing drums and harmoniums, arduous incantations, and euphoric choral refrains, nothing induces a state of spiritual intoxication quite like Qawwali, a 700-year-old tradition of hypnotic Sufi praise music.

Qawwali Gospel Creation unites one of the genres revered torchbearers, Pakistani singer Faiz Ali Faiz, and his ensemble with African American gospel music—a music tradition equally steeped in cathartic song—in a joint evening with renowned pianist/singer Craig Adams and the Voices of New Orleans, raising the spirit in ecstasy.


BAM Harvey Theater
Running time: 105min, no intermission

Subscription tickets: $16, 24, 28
(Full price: $20, 30, 35)

What is "Qawwali"?
Unique to the non-orthodox Sufi branch of Islam, the 800-year old Qawwali tradition continues to thrive.  More

Interview with Faiz Ali Faiz and Craig Adams at the Fes Festival of World Sacred Music
"Exploring Sacred Music In Fes, Morocco" More

Interview with Faiz Ali Faiz
"I want music to be free," says Faiz Ali Faiz, "and one should have the right to freely express music." More 

BBC profile on Faiz Ali Faiz
Faiz Ali Faiz was nominated for a BBC Radio 3 World Music Award in 2006. More