Many Religions. Many Cultures. One Voice.
As folk musicians, we listen, teach, perform, and preserve our cultural treasures. Learning, respecting, finding common ground--this is what it means to be a musician, and it is how we engage with each other.
IN CONCERT
at Chicago's Old Town School of Folk Music
IN CONCERT and WORKSHOPS
at University of Wisconsin-Parkside
“This professional ensemble of Arabic and Jewish musicians exemplifies and promotes peaceful collaboration. Perhaps more important than what the Salaam-Shalom Music Project does is the quality and spirit with which they do it.”
-David Beach, Professor Emeritus of Psychology,
University of Wisconsin-Parkside
"Music is the language of the soul;
and for two people of different nations or races to unite,
there is no better means than music."
-Hazarat Inayat Khan
ABOUT THE SALAAM-SHALOM MUSIC PROJECT
The Salaam-Shalom Music Project comprises distinguished musicians and singers from Chicago's different faith communities: Muslim, Jewish, and Christian. Drawing upon the traditional melodies of the Middle East and South Asia combined with klezmer (Jewish music from Eastern Europe), these musicians demonstrate the possibilities of interfaith harmony through musical collaboration. The group's name, "Salaam-Shalom" means "peace" in Arabic and Hebrew, affirming the possibility of mutual learning, enrichment, and good will among all faiths.
The musicians teach each other about their own folk music heritage and then share their efforts with the audience. They include first-and second-generation artists from the Middle East, East Asia, and the former Soviet Union. This all-acoustic ensemble draws from the wellsprings of ancestral folk songs and dances for their creativity. The Qanun (zither), Daf (hand-held drum), and Ney (Egyptian flute) join the violin, clarinet, accordion and double bass to create an entrancing atmosphere of spirit and spirituality.
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Photo Credit: David Sutton Studios
Alex Koffman, Klezmer Violin
“The band was simply amazing. Giving our students the opportunity to witness such a culturally diverse group of artists is a priceless experience. Their blend of ethnicities and spiritual backgrounds, mixed with the high caliber of their talent, was truly an amazing evening.”
-Matthew Charnay, Jewish/Interfaith Life Coordinator, DePaul University, Chicago
“This professional ensemble of Arabic and Jewish musicians exemplifies and promotes peaceful collaboration. Perhaps more important than what the Salaam-Shalom Music Project does is the quality and spirit with which they do it.”
-David Beach, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Anas Odeh, Arabic Danceleader
CONTACT US
salaamshalommusic@gmail.com
(847) 675-4800
Photo Credit: David Sutton Studios
Kim Fleuchaus, Flute