World Music Institute recently announced that Arooj Aftab, Vijay Iyer, and Shahzad Ismaily will be stopping at The Town Hall in Manhattan on September 14. The event will be a performance of the group’s self-titled 2023 album titled Love In Exile. Together, the trio concoct mesmerizing music by incorporating sonic elements from around the world.
Brooklyn-based vocalist Arooj Aftab burst onto the scene with her captivating debut project Bird Under Water in 2015. Since then, the Pakistan-born artist has been making waves for her alluring voice and varied musical range. With Love In Exile, Aftab partnered with esteemed pianist Vijay Iyer and instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily to create a project unlike many others.
Jazz and South Asian traditions help to influence the sound of Love In Exile. Despite the album’s footing, it is a swirling and genreless piece of music. The project is as eerie as it is entrancing, and is truly a unique listening experience. As a group Love In Exile aims to deliver a spellbinding live show. The trio dips into the improvisatory soul of jazz and the Urdu poetic tradition to create a performance full of “timeless beauty and sudden surprise”.
What Is World Music Institute?
World Music Institute was founded in 1985 and has long stood as one of the pillars of American music and dance. The non-profit looks to bring the best music from around the world to venues throughout New York City. WMI attempts to foster awareness and appreciation for the cultural traditions of people across the globe through performances and conversations. The New York State Council on the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs partially support the program.
Kalia Vandever, a Brooklyn trombonist and composer, will open the show. Vanderver’s nuanced approach to the trombone is distinctive and defined by her resounding tone and lyrical improvisational voice. We Fell In Turn, her debut solo album, released back in March and featured works for trombone, voice, and electronics.
Here for tickets and more information about Love in Exile.
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