Over the last 25 years, Ayman Fanous has forged a singular synthesis
of classical and flamenco guitar technique with contemporary free
improvisation. By yoking the expansive techniques of these demanding
guitaristic approaches to a contemporary aesthetic, Fanous has developed
a unique voice, full of both fiery virtuosity and harmolodic openness
and complexity. It has been described as "a stylistic amalgam of Derek
Bailey and Paco de Lucia" (Signal to Noise). To this combustible mix,
Fanous adds a number of extended techniques to create a rich tapestry of
textures and colors.
While the guitar is Fanous’ primary instrument, he also reaches
back into his Egyptian ancestry in improvisations on the bouzouki, an
instrument which intimates the musical spirit of cultures from Central
and South Asia to the Middle East, Balkans, and North Africa. He has
led duos, trios, and quartets with such illustrious musician/composers
as Bern Nix, Tomas Ulrich, Jason Hwang, William Parker, Frances-Marie
Uitti, Ned Rothenberg, Mark Feldman, Ikue Mori, Andrea Parkins, Susan
Alcorn, Denman Maroney, Mat Maneri, Lori Freedman, Kinan Azmeh, Michael
Wimberly, Satoshi Takeishi, and Tatsuya Nakatani.
Over two nights at the Firehouse Space, Fanous will bring together
some of the most original and acclaimed improvising musicians in New
York to debut six different ensembles, including four premiers, in
multicultural explorations of free chamber improv.
From reviews of Ayman Fanous and Jason Hwang's CD Zilzal (Innova, 2013):
"The duo release—Zilzal—further defines the evolution of two master
musician/composers pursing the most imaginative alternatives to the
status quo." --Karl Ackerman, Allaboutjazz.com
"This is music with ambition... for new forms of sounds, new ways
to express things, full of emotional depth, with emotions that are too
complex to be canvassed in old forms, too elusive to be captured in
patterns, too deep to be expressed in shallow tunes." --Stef,
Freejazzblog.org
"If [this music] is beautiful, it is the beauty of awe.
This is… music that is on the edge of the future. It is music that needs
to be heard and explored." --Jack Goodstein, Seattle
Post-Intelligencer
"To venture into the cultural extremes as exhibited within Zilzal
and and make the music accessible to a broad based audience is simply
amazing." --Brent Black, Criticaljazz.com
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