Amir ElSaffar News

A locomotive whistle sounds out across the desert, long and lonesome, and the engine gathers steam. Men ride on the roof of the carriage, their laughter spilling out into the night. Curled up on the luggage rack, a young boy on his first train trip alone is too excited to sleep, listening to all the voices and watching the faces, the stunning bride returning from a trip to gather her dowry, a striking and friendly family of African-Iraqis. He knows he'll remember every moment of this journey from Baghdad to Basra. He did, and many years and miles away it became the bedtime story he told his daughter, and the inspiration for Salaam's new album, Train to Basra and Other Stories (release: today, October 29, 2013).

A locomotive whistle sounds out across the desert, long and lonesome, and the engine gathers steam. Men ride on the roof of the carriage, their laughter spilling out into the night. Curled up on the luggage rack, a young boy on his first train trip alone is too excited to sleep, listening to all the voices and watching the faces, the stunning bride returning from a trip to gather her dowry, a striking and friendly family of African-Iraqis. He knows he'll remember every moment of this journey from Baghdad to Basra. He did, and many years and miles away it became the bedtime story he told his daughter, and the inspiration for Salaam's new album, Train to Basra and Other Stories (release: October 29, 2013).

A locomotive whistle sounds out across the desert, long and lonesome, and the engine gathers steam. Men ride on the roof of the carriage, their laughter spilling out into the night. Curled up on the luggage rack, a young boy on his first train trip alone is too excited to sleep, listening to all the voices and watching the faces, the stunning bride returning from a trip to gather her dowry, a striking and friendly family of African-Iraqis. He knows he'll remember every moment of this journey from Baghdad to Basra. He did, and many years and miles away it became the bedtime story he told his daughter, and the inspiration for Salaam's new album, Train to Basra and Other Stories (release: October 29, 2013).

The West Coast premiere of Orquesta Sarabia under the direction of Roberto Rodriguez continues the Skirball Cultural Center's annual Sunset Concerts series tonight, August 9, 2012 at 8:00 PM.

The West Coast premiere of Orquesta Sarabia under the direction of Roberto Rodriguez continues the Skirball Cultural Center's annual Sunset Concerts series on Thursday, August 9, 2012 at 8:00 PM.

New York Theatre Workshop world premiere production of Food and Fadwa, written by Lameece Issaq and Jacob Kader, and directed by Shana Gold, opens officially tonight, June 7 at NYTW. Food and Fadwa is a co-production with Noor Theatre, a company-in-residence at New York Theatre Workshop.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) Artistic Director James C. Nicola and Managing Director William Russo and Noor Theatre Artistic Director Lameece Isaaq, Executive Director Maha Chehlaoui, and Producing Director Nancy Vitale have announced that the world premiere of Food and Fadwa, written by Lameece Issaq and Jacob Kader, and directed by Shana Gold, begins performances tonight, Friday, May 18, 2012, at NYTW, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue. The opening night is scheduled for Thursday, June 7. Food and Fadwa is a co-production with Noor Theatre, a company-in-residence at New York Theatre Workshop.

New York Theatre Workshop (NYTW) will present the world premiere of Food and Fadwa, written by Lameece Issaq and Jacob Kader, and directed by Shana Gold, will begin performances on Friday, May 18, 2012, at NYTW, 79 East 4 Street, between Bowery and Second Avenue. The opening night is scheduled for Thursday, June 7. Food and Fadwa is a co-production with Noor Theatre, a company-in-residence at New York Theatre Workshop.

Ingrid Michaelson, Elizaveta, Mark Rapp, and more are set for performances at Joe's Pub this week.

Award?winning playwright and actress Heather Raffo, a 2010-11 Artist in Residence at Vassar, sponsored by the Mellon Foundation, will return to the college during spring 2011 for a six-week residency and will give two public presentations.

Award?winning playwright and actress Heather Raffo, a 2010-11 Artist in Residence at Vassar, sponsored by the Mellon Foundation, will return to the college during spring 2011 for a six-week residency and will give two public presentations.

Award?winning playwright and actress Heather Raffo, a 2010-11 Artist in Residence at Vassar, sponsored by the Mellon Foundation, will return to the college during spring 2011 for a six-week residency and will give two public presentations.

THE CORNELIA STREET CAFE has announced an exciting schedule of events for the month of November full of diverse musical styles for all kinds of musical tastes!

THE CORNELIA STREET CAFE has announced an exciting schedule of events for the month of November full of diverse musical styles for all kinds of musical tastes!

Grammy® nominated Panamanian jazz pianist Danilo Perez has joined together some of the brightest lights of the current modern jazz scene to pay tribute to the jazz legend. This inspiring jazz collective will perform new arrangements of classic Gillespie works, in addition to original group compositions. The group includes David Sanchez (tenor sax - Puerto Rico), Rudresh Mahanthappa (alto sax - India, US), Jamey Haddad (percussion - Lebanon, US), Amir ElSaffar (trumpet - Iraq, US), Ben Street (bass - US), Adam Cruz (drums - Puerto Rico, US).

Northrop Music at the University of Minnesota presents Grammy® nominated Panamanian jazz pianist Danilo Perez, as he joins together some of the brightest lights of the current modern jazz scene to pay tribute to the jazz legend.

Grammy® nominated Panamanian jazz pianist Danilo Perez has joined together some of the brightest lights of the current modern jazz scene to pay tribute to the jazz legend. This inspiring jazz collective will perform new arrangements of classic Gillespie works, in addition to original group compositions. The group includes David Sanchez (tenor sax - Puerto Rico), Rudresh Mahanthappa (alto sax - India, US), Jamey Haddad (percussion - Lebanon, US), Amir ElSaffar (trumpet - Iraq, US), Ben Street (bass - US), Adam Cruz (drums - Puerto Rico, US).

Gaida's debut album Levantine Indulgence arrives March 21, 2010 (Palmyra Recordings). A mesmerizing collection that explores the tonal and imporvisational intersection of traditional Arabic music with American jazz. For streaming audio, visit www.rockpaperscissors.biz/go/gaida.

Northrop Music at the University of Minnesota presents Grammy® nominated Panamanian jazz pianist Danilo Perez, as he joins together some of the brightest lights of the current modern jazz scene to pay tribute to the jazz legend.

Chamber Music America, celebrating its 33rd year as the national service organization for the ensemble music profession, is accepting application for its 2010 New Jazz Works: Commissioning and Ensemble Development program, a grant opportunity for U.S. jazz ensembles.