Oud

What he played did as much to form my music as my writing those songs...This is one of the great slide players of all time. (Jackson Browne, Rolling Stone 5/27/10)

Yemen Blues is a nine-member Sephardic music ensemble, which has recently taken the international music scene by storm. Founded by Israeli bassist Omer Avital and Israeli-Yemenite singer Ravid Kahalani, this band is an original and fascinating synergy of traditional Yemenite melodies and the world of blues, jazz and funk. Flavors of its West African roots swirl through enhanced modern compositions to create a breathtaking experience—a mixture of beautiful, complex grooves with an amazing live energy. Yemen Blues has captivated audiences around the globe. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience Yemen Blues in their first Twin Cities appearance.

The Cedar is now fully air-conditioned for your year-round comfort!

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The Yuval Ron Ensemble endeavors to alleviate national, racial, religious and cultural divides by uniting the music and dance of the opposing people of the Middle East into a unique mystical, spiritual and inspiring musical celebration. The Ensemble includes Jewish and Arabic musicians as well as Christian Armenian artists who have been actively involved in creating musical bridges between people of various faiths and ethnic groups worldwide. Formed in 1999, and led by Oscar winning composer Yuval Ron (music for "West Bank Story"), the Ensemble was featured to perform at the International Sacred Music Festival of Fez Morocco, and was chosen to headline the benefit concert for "Seeds of Compassion" - the Dalai Lama's conference - in Seattle, WA. In 2002 and 2005, the ensemble was featured at the World Festival of Sacred Music in Los Angeles and was honored to be the first American-based Middle Eastern Ensemble to perform at an International Peace Festival '05 in South Korea.

Bassam Saba is one of the nation's leading figures of Arabic music. Saba is a world-renowned nay virtuoso and multi-instrumentalist, performing on oud, violin, buzuq, saz and western classical flute. Saba studied nay, oud and violin at the Lebanon National Conservatory. At the age of 17, he moved to Paris where he received his BA in Western Classical music and Flute Performance at the Conservatoire Municipal des Gobelins. Read more »