Born out of a collaboration between The India Center Foundation, Brooklyn Raga Massive, and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Raga Maqam is an exploration of the shared threads of Iraqi Maqam and Indian Raga. Featuring new music composed by Iraqi-American multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Amir ElSaffar in conjunction with members of Brooklyn Raga Massive and maqam virtuosos in NYC and beyond, Raga Maqam brings to life a unique and contemporary sound grounded in two ancient traditions.
Maqam is the modal system (musical scales with specific characteristic behaviors) of the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia, and is considered to be the counterpart to the Indian Raga. Much like in raga, maqam music features improvisation within a structured set of parameters. Over the centuries, these systems have developed separately, each with distinct rules, musical syntaxes, and stylistic properties. At their core, both traditions draw from the same essence with historic evidence of cross pollination between the two. Raga Maqam draws inspiration from these shared commonalities and the vibrant musical histories of the ensemble members to create a modern, only-in-New York, evolution of these sister styles. Dive deeper into Amir’s approach to this work in an interview with The Jazz Gallery here.
This 15-person ensemble features virtuosic artists hailing from America, India, Iraq, Iran, Palestine, and Jordan, the majority of whom are based in the U.S. The instrumentation is just as eclectic as the ensemble, bringing together champions of the santur, oud, qanun, violin, sitar, bansuri, ney, shehnai, kamancheh, tabla and more.
project partners
The India Center Foundation producing partner
The India Center is a national, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the United States dedicated to the study of the Indian subcontinent, the promotion of its cultural life, and the unique relationship between India and the United States. Based in New York City, The India Center hosts dialogues and exhibitions, mounts programs, educates audiences, and fosters debate focused on India’s future as well as its rich and varied past. The India Center is a platform for both established and emerging experts and artists exploring the evolution of the world’s largest and most complex democracy. Learn more at www.theindiacenter.us.
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts commissioning partner
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (LCPA) serves three primary roles: presenter of artistic programming, national leader in arts and education and community relations, and manager of the Lincoln Center campus. A presenter of more than 3,000 free and ticketed events, performances, tours, and educational activities annually, LCPA offers 15 series, festivals, and programs including American Songbook, Avery Fisher Career Grants, Free Thursdays at the David Rubenstein Atrium, Great Performers, Lincoln Center at the Movies: Great American Dance, Lincoln Center Festival, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, Lincoln Center Vera List Art Project, Martin E. Segal Awards, Midsummer Night Swing, Mostly Mozart Festival, White Light Festival, and the Emmy Award-winning Live From Lincoln Center, which airs nationally on PBS. As manager of the Lincoln Center campus, LCPA provides support and services for the Lincoln Center complex and the 11 resident organizations. In addition, LCPA led a $1.2 billion campus renovation, completed in October 2012. Learn more at www.lincolncenter.org.
Brooklyn Raga Massive producing partner
Brooklyn Raga Massive (BRM) is a prolific artist collective dedicated to creating cross-cultural understanding through the lens of Indian classical music. They preserve and expand this rich genre, provide direct support to musicians, and facilitate cultural exchange through performances, new compositions, and educational programs. As the most innovative presenter of South Asian music in New York City, and one of the only musician-led South Asian music organizations in the country, BRM occupies a critical and underrepresented role in the cultural landscape. Learn more at www.brooklynragamassive.com.
WNET All Arts media partner
ALL ARTS is breaking new ground as the premier destination for inspiration, creativity and art of all forms. This New York Emmy-winning arts and culture hub is created by WNET, the parent company of New York’s PBS stations. With the aim of being accessible to viewers everywhere, ALL ARTS’s Webby-nominated programming — from digital shorts to feature films — is available online nationwide through allarts.org, the free ALL ARTS app on all major streaming platforms, and @AllArtsTV on social media. New York area TV viewers can also watch the 24/7 broadcast channel. For all the ways to watch, visit allarts.org/everywhere.
Raga Maqam is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council.
This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.
Header photo by Kevin Yatarola