Christiane Karam & the ZilZALA Ensemble - Songs Of The People

Led by vocalist, composer Christiane Karam, the ZilZALA Middle Eastern Ensemble is a Boston & New York based World Music band that draws from several musical cultures to re-interpret classical, traditional and folk Arabic Music.


The outcome is a powerful and uplifting blend of Eastern and Western influences that range from Lebanese, Egyptian, Turkish, Greek and North African grooves and melodies, to contemporary Jazz harmonies, that creates a truly unique musical experience.

The ZilZALA Ensemble has been playing to packed houses in Boston and New York, bringing together music lovers from the Middle East with a western audience that is eager to learn about and enjoy the exotic middle eastern rhythms and melodies.

ZilZALA won 1st Runner Up for Best World Music Act in Boston in the 2006 Phoenix Best Music Poll and was nominated again in 2007. In addition to leading the ZilZALA ensemble, Christiane writes and performs in various musical settings, and this year had the privilege to perform at Carnegie Hall with Bobby McFerrin and 19 other vocalists from around the world.

Christiane is also an award-winning songwriter and is on the faculty of Berklee College of Music as a an Assistant Professor of voice, ensemble and songwriting.

www.myspace.com/zilzala

"East and West collide in the music of the ZiLZALA Middle Eastern Ensemble...This international cast of musicians provide a distinctive flavor and an irresistible rhythm." Luke O'Neil, the Boston Globe

"Christiane Karam & ZilZALA take you on a sensuous sound journey... You'll start on the narrow winding streets of Beirut and Damascus, hop a caravan ride through the desert, make a stop at a cinema in Cairo and, from there, they might lead you... just about anywhere!" Hankus Netsky- New England Conservatory


Track List :

1. Lamma Bada Yatathanna (trad. att.Sheikh Abdel Halim el Masloub/arr.C.Karam)
2. Ederlezi (trad. arr.C.Karam/inspired by Kuku Band/bulgarian lyrics by Ivaylo Vulchev)
3. Ehkili Ehkili (Rahbani Bros./arr.C.Karam)
4. Hibbi Daani Lil Wissal (Sheikh Sayyed Darwish/arr.C.Karam)
5. Khalleik Bel Beit (Ziad El Rahbani/ arr. C.Karam)
6. Gypsy Desert (C.Karam)
7. Nahna Wel Amar Jiran (Rahbani Bros./arr.C.Karam & G.Merega)
8. Storm/Oror (C.Karam/trad./arr.C.Karam)
9. Kan El Zaman (E.Rahbani/ arr.C.Karam)
10. Dunya Bir Dolap (C.Karam.text by Asik Veysel/vocal arr.by Joey Blake)