SAFFRON CARAVAN The essence of arts diplomacy TM In a world wrought with global conflict, we believe musicians can show and lead the way employing our most universal language, which engages us all. Experience the Chicago/US portion of Genesis at the Crossroads’ world tour, Saffron Caravan - Universal Love on September 13th. Exemplifying our message of arts diplomacy, Saffron Caravan, unites musicians from Iran, Afghanistan, Cuba, Morocco, India, Israel, Bosnia, Brazil and the United States for cross-cultural collaborative performance, music education and humanitarian work. Their repertoire, spanning seven languages and multiple keys, explores both the sacred and mystical traditions in Arab, Jewish and Persian music. Infused with sub-Saharan roots of blues and jazz, spiced with Afro-Caribbean, South-American and Asian rhythms, their evocative melodies transport international audiences. They are continuing their international tour following programs in the Middle East, US and Bosnia. They performed and held music education classes in Srebrenica, Bosnia in the 20th anniversary year of the genocide in the former Yugoslavia and completed a series of programs across the US, (including Chicago and DC) ending as the opening performance for the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, Art of Peace global conference last year. https://m.soundcloud.com/wbez-worldview/genesis-at-the-crossroads-presents-saffron-caravan. Come take a musical journey from the Balkans through the Middle East and North Africa to Brazil as we trace the cultural crossroads of Sevdah, the music of love. *** “For members of the audience, what may have sounded strange and impossible mere hours before was happening before their eyes - a mix of old and new, East and West, musicians whose countries are at odds playing together and making beautiful music. It seemed like the most natural sound in the world.” Rebecca Baskin, The Jerusalem Post “Sublime!” Aaron Cohen, The Chicago Tribune “…a flawless blend of musical styles from around the globe.” Tim Receveur, US Department of State, USINFO The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, DC 2011 International Freedom to Create Prize Nominees SAFFRON CARAVAN BADI ASSAD – Lebanese-Brazilian (Guitar and Vocals) Badi has played an array of international concerts/festivals including innovative collaborations with Bobby McFerrin, Yo-Yo-Ma, Sarah McLaughlin and others. With 15 albums released worldwide, her CD, Wonderland was selected by the BBC London as among the 100 Best and Amazon.com’s 30 Best. Guitar Player, selected her as one of the guitar players that would revolutionize the world. In addition to reaching the Top 10 in Europe, her hit song, Waves was featured in the soundtrack of It Runs in the Family, featuring Michael and Kirk Douglas. Awarded Best Composer of The Year (APCA/BR) for her CD, Between Love and Luck, she was also distinguished by Rolling Stone Magazine to be among the Brazilian guitar masters of history. Cantos de Casa, her children’s CD, won Trophy Cata-Vento for Best CD of the Year. AARON BENSOUSSAN, Moroccan (Vocals and Oud) Bensoussan studied Sephardic liturgical music with his Father and master musicians in Morocco. A graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, he trained with master Ashkenazic and Sephardic Hazzanim including the late Moshe Ganchoff, David Koussevitzky, Sammy Amzallag and Avraham Ben Haim. Bensoussan has served as lead Hazzan for 25 years in North American congregations while performing in worldwide concerts/festivals from Carnegie Hall to the Jerusalem Theatre. Hailed by the NY Times for his stout and impassioned singing, his compositions, including his CD, A New Journey, also masterfully weave together Ashkenazic/Sephardic, Middle Eastern, Jazz, Flamenco and Pop rhythms into a colorful tapestry. His interpretative compostion, L’cha Dodi, included in A Jewish Odyssey, (Putumayo) has been sung the world over. HAYTHAM SAFIA – Arab-Israeli (Oud) Safia’s music colorfully sources itself from his rich cultural past: he was born into a Muslim family in Kafr Kasif, a Christian Village in Israel’s Northern Galilee, an area strongly influenced by its neighboring Druise community. A versatile and adventurous musician, Safia graduated from Jerusalem’s Academy of Music and Dance and turned to The Netherlands for further cross-cultural challenges. His CD’s: Promises, Blossoms, Fresh Moods and U’D showcase Safia's oud-playing gifts, renowned for their precision and experimentation. A talented and innovative composer, his latest quartet incorporates Oriental rhythms while respecting classical Western components. With a contemporary approach to the Oud, Safia playfully manipulates recurring themes, underscoring traditional introductory and closing phrases. GUEST ARTIST: KEITA OGAWA, Japanese (Percussionist/Drummer) Hailing originally from Nagasaki, Japan, Keita Ogawa is one of the most versatile and sought-after drummers & percussionists in New York City. He has performed with some of the biggest names in modern music including: Yo-Yo Ma, the Assad Brothers, Osvaldo Golijov, Danilo Perez, Benny Green, as well as the Maria Schneider Orchestra, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and others. He is a proud member of the Grammy Award winning-band, Snarky Puppy. Keita can play virtually any percussion instrument and musical style with fluency and unparalleled musicality. A prolific youth leader, he has set an example for the next generation of world-class musicians. Keita exhibits his rare talent and passion for crossing musical borders and uniting cultural differences with a warm smile and an open heart.