Recording: Labyrinth Finale Ensemble

Artist: Labyrinth Finale Ensemble

Song: Dar Hejiroke

Recorded at 918 Bathurst (Labyrinth Ontario Launch / Fundraiser), September 15, 2017.

Labyrinth Finale Ensemble - Dar Hejiroke

This night was the formal public launch of Labyrinth Ontario, a new initiative founded by local musicians Araz Salek and Jonathan Adjemian to promote "the study and enjoyment of global traditions of modal music". Bringing together some diverse ensembles, this night featured music of the highest calibre — an auspicious sign of things to come as the group begins to organize a number of teaching workshops and concerts next year.

Conceived as a finale to the evening, this brought together nearly all of the night's musicians into one mega-ensemble to raise their voices and instruments together on this Kurdish wedding song. When Bassam Bishara's plane was a little late coming in, it got shuffled before his set, but the quick flip allowed the night to keep moving.

Recording: The Iranian Modal Music Ensemble of Toronto

Artist: The Iranian Modal Music Ensemble of Toronto

Song: Chahamezrab

Recorded at 918 Bathurst (Labyrinth Ontario Launch / Fundraiser), September 15, 2017.

The Iranian Modal Music Ensemble of Toronto - Chahamezrab

This night was the formal public launch of Labyrinth Ontario, a new initiative founded by local musicians Araz Salek and Jonathan Adjemian to promote "the study and enjoyment of global traditions of modal music". Bringing together some diverse ensembles, this night featured music of the highest calibre — an auspicious sign of things to come as the group begins to organize a number of teaching workshops and concerts next year.

I recognized some of the players here from other shows — most notably Araz Salek (tar) and Pedram Khavarzamini (tombak), who I saw recently exploring some Javanese/Persian crosscurrents with Evyind Kang and Jessika Kenney. The ensemble was completed by Mahan Nohroudi (santour), Padideh Aharnejad (tar), Kianoush Khalilian (ney), and Ava Ayoubi (bass tar). The set consisted of a few longer songs linked by solos and improvisations — all of it really beautiful stuff.