El Wadi Ensemble

Description

El Wadi Ensemble is based out of Chicago and focuses on Arabic traditional music and dance. The ensemble started in 2019 and has performed for internationally-themed events and festivals as well as fundraisers benefiting the Chicago Middle Eastern community. Each concert is developed specifically with the occasion and audience in mind. 

Work Sample

"Hal Asmar il Lown"
4:09
El Wadi Ensemble was happy to unite with other wonderful musicians across the globe for Break The Siege: Medical Relief for Gaza, presented by HotHouse Chicago, to help bring aid to the children of #Gaza via Al Awda Hospital and PCRF - Palestine Children's Relief Fund. Here is our contribution to the effort. Please enjoy our rendition of Hal Asmar Ellon هالأسمر اللون. You can still view the entire program, full of important messages and beautiful music here: https://youtu.be/P2_NbFrMdQo
Recorded April 11, 2021
El Wadi Ensemble:
Anita Darwish, vocals
Alejandro Farha, oud
Nedal Hamdan, frame drum

"Hayametny"
4:28
This was recorded for El Pueblo Canto, an online benefit to raise funds to assist immigrants to Chicago with legal aid.
Location: Centro Romero Cultural Center, Rogers Park
Recorded 09.12.20

El Wadi Ensemble:
Edward Hanna, Tabla
Marwan Kamel, Oud
Sam Hyson, Violin
Anita Darwish, Vocals

"Nessam Aleyna il Hawa"
4:02
It was a pleasure to be able to make music with Hassan Salameh at St. Luke's Episcopal Church Evanston as a part of their program, "Palestine in Song & Story", sponsored by Seraj Library Project in Palestine
Live performance in Evanston, Illinois on March 13, 2022
Hassan Salameh, oud
Anita Darwish, vocals and daf

"Hayametny" and "Hal Asmar il Lown" are both part of a repertoire of music called "qudud Halabiyya", which are short and well-known melodies that have long been a part of tradition in the Levant, originating in Aleppo, Syria. "Nessam Aleyna il Hawa", famously recorded by Lebanese artist Fairouz, is also famous throughout the Levant in a more modern era and is a song about the beauty of the terrain and longing for one's homeland.
These were all performances to help bring awareness to the public of issues and funds needed by those in the surrounding communities and across the globe.

History

El Wadi Ensemble is based out of Chicago and focuses on Arabic traditional music and dance. The ensemble started in 2019 and has performed for different events, festivals and fundraisers benefiting the Chicago Middle Eastern community. Each concert is developed specifically with the occasion and audience in mind. The ensemble has had a few different iterations and is always looking to promote the beauty of Arab culture through music and dance.

Artistic Vision

El Wadi Ensemble strives to bring pride to the Arab community as well as educate those who may not have had an experience with Middle Eastern culture before. This ensemble also aims to help those in need by participating in fundraising and community events. By playing traditional music, the ensemble shares tradition by continuing the songs that should not be forgotten and at the same time, bringing nostalgia and happy memories back to those whose lives have taken them away from their homeland.

Traditional Folk/Ethnic Artform Statement

El Wadi Ensemble performs Arabic traditional music, sometimes mixing it with dance. It is a small ensemble, or takht, in the tradition of Arabic music. It is a reflection of the heritage of the members of the group as well as a method to show the beauty of Arab culture to the public. For the Arab community of Chicago, we hope to inspire pleasant memories of the homeland and pride in the culture through carrying on the tradition of this well-loved music.