Native American mezzo-soprano, Claire MacKenzie joins Ali Paris on Qanun in singing Ya Msafer Wahdak, composed by Mohammed Abdel Wahab
Ms. MacKenzie is proud to be featured as a soloist with San Francisco Bay Area's premier Arabic orchestra, Aswat. The ensemble is made up of highly skilled and professional musicians who are bridging the divide between individuals of different languages, cultures, and religions through music. To see excerpts from Aswat's last concert celebrating the life and works of Egyptian composer, Sayyid Darwish, compliments of AJ+, Ms. MacKenzie invites you to her Facebook Artist page: Claire MacKenzie Mezzo-Soprano https://www.facebook.com/ClaireMacKenzieMezzoSoprano/?fref=ts
In May of 2013 Ms. MacKenzie hosted a senior recital in partial fulfillment for a Bachelor of Art in Music. This senior recital featured an eclectic program of operatic and Arabic works challenging misconceptions involved with "Orientalism." Each piece illuminated the unique relationship between "Occident" and "Orient," and how those two contrasting music cultures gaze upon one another.
The following excerpts were recorded live:
"Law Qana Qalbi Mai"
from Fairouz' Andaloussiyat Suite
"Bi Alladhi Askara"
traditional Muwashah by the Rahbani Brothers
Joining Claire in this performance were Pamela Sheffler (Violin), Joel Demir ('Oud), Nic Garrison (Nay), Lauren Castro (Accordion), and Keeth CrowHawk (Percussion).