Three musicians, three native lands, three instruments, three languages. They gather in Jerusalem to play the music of Morocco, Spain and the Baltics, performing songs in Hebrew, Arabic and Ladino.
Monday, March 9, 20158:00 PMNEW LOCATION: UCLA Fowler MuseumLenart Auditorium
Due to very high interest, the location of the event has been changed to the Lenart Auditorium at the UCLA Fowler Museum.
This performance will feature the Israeli music trio Kol Oud Tof made up of singer Esti Kenan Ofri, oud player Armand Sabach, and percussionist Oren Fried. Specializing in Mizrachi (Middle Eastern) music, Kol Oud Tof brings together different musical traditions and repertoires including Spanish women's songs, Northern Moroccan songs sung in their original language, Jewish Moroccan Arabic songs, Jewish Moroccan liturgical music, classical Andalusian music sung in Hebrew, Haketia (Spanish dialect mix of Castilian, Arabic, and Hebrew) wedding music, and Baltic music sung in Hebrew, Arabic, and Ladino.
Esti Kenan Ofri is currently a visiting professor in UCLA's department of ethnomusicology. Born in Italy and raised in Israel, she composes work inspired by her Sephardi-Jewish heritage. She studied dance and music in Israel, choreography in New York, and Arabic music with composer Salim In-Nur. She has a degree in Arabic music from the Rubin Academy in Jerusalem. Her voice has inspired many great composers to write and arrange music to suit her particular vocal interpretation. An accomplished singer, dancer, and composer, she has been performing for many years with Kol Oud Tof and other musical ensembles.
Oren Fried is a drummer and percussionist who has worked with a wide range of ensembles and traditions - from Latin and jazz to traditional ethnic. His primary focus has been Jewish musical heritage.
He has been collaborating with Esti Kenan Ofri as as the "Kol Tof" Duo and later with Ofri and Sabach as the “Kol Oud Tof” trio. He also performs and records with artists Ilana Eliya, Mendy Kahan, Ofer Calaf, the “Abidin” ensemble, singer Morin Nehdar, Baruch Brenner, and Emmanuel Hannoun.
Armand Sabach was born in Morocco and moved to Israel with his family at age 13. He studied the middle east and sociology at Hebrew University, and got his MA in classical guitar from the Rubin Academy in Jerusalem. Sabach is the major oud player in the Ashdod orchestra.
He has directed an ensemble of Moroccan Jewish Music. He has also composed for singer Ilana Eliya and was the musical director and oud player in her ensemble.
"There is something very vibrant, lively, and even contemporary in [their music], which perfectly combines memory and passion." - Haaretz
"Seamless and engaging collaboration that combines Hebrew liturgical poetry, Ladino, and Arabic classical modes in a beautiful blend.” - George Robinson, The Jewish Week
A special workshop with Kol Oud Tof will be available for UCLA students in the ethnomusicology department. For more information, call (310) 825-9646.
Parking information: Easy, self-service, Pay-By-Space parking is available near the Fowler Museum. Enter UCLA campus Lot 4 from Sunset Blvd. at Westwood Plaza and turn left into the Pay-By-Space area of the lot. Pay-By-Space parking will be available regardless of whether the lot 4 parking kiosk is staffed. Automated pay stations in Pay-By-Space accept $1 and $5 bills and credit cards.The parking fee is a maximum of $12 for the whole day. One hour parking costs $3, 1.5 hours is $4, and two hours is $6. The Fowler Museum is visible to your left when you ascend from the elevator or stairs.
Cost : This event is free and open to the public.
Sponsor(s): Ethnomusicology