Firas Zreik combines his deep understanding of the ancient Maqam tradition - the scale system in the Levantine, North African and the Mediterranean region - with elements of modern global musical styles absorbed throughout his musical development, creating a fresh modern authentic sound, via a dazzling technique with the Kanun at its core.

The Palestine-born New Yorker has transformed global perception of the Kanun. His treatment of the instrument preserves its identity and stretches its potential as a cultural chameleon enhancing a range of fresh, evolving sounds. He views the Maqam’s improvisation-driven legacy as a vessel for unbound creative expression across musical styles.

Presented in collaboration with Habibi Festival.

ABOUT HABIBI FESTIVAL
Created with the goal of giving a snapshot of contemporary and traditional musics of the SWANA (South West Asia North Africa) region, Habibi Festival aims to take listeners on a journey of the sounds wafting through the airwaves and living rooms of cities spanning Marrakech to Baghdad to Brooklyn. This new performing arts festival is a collaboration between the Director of Joe's Pub at the Public Theater Alex Knowlton, artist/composer/curator Yacine Boulares, and curator/producer Meera Dugal who are bonded by the goal of creating more joyful spaces for performance, conversation, and storytelling from this part of the world. www.habibi-festival.com

Photo credit: Felicia Abban

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