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 artists from Chicago's Arab and Muslim professional musician community and the Maxwell Street Klezmer Band. Drawing upon the traditional melodies of the Middle East and South Asia combined with klezmer (Jewish music from Eastern Europe) and Sephardic music (Medieval Judeo-Spanish), Salaam-Shalom–which means "peace" in Arabic and Hebrew–affirms the possibilities for mutual learning, enrichment and good will among Muslims, Jews, and Christians.
The band members reach out to each other and to the public to teach, learn, and celebrate their
heritage through music. The musicians include first-and second-generation artists from Egypt, Pakistan, Jordan (Palestine), and the former Soviet Union. This all-acoustic ensemble draws from the wellsprings of ancestral folk songs and dances for their creativity. The Oud (lute), Daf (hand-held drum), Ney (Egyptian flute), and Arabic dancers join the violin, clarinet, accordion and double bass to create an entrancing atmosphere of spirit and spirituality.
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