The Berakah Project
http://www.theberakahproject.org/
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheBerakahProject
Guitarist and Composer Mohammed Nazam founded the new World/Jazz/Classical en-semble BERAKAH in summer 2005. Bringing together musicians of Jewish, Christian and Muslim heritage, Berakah is the first UK band of its kind. Featuring virtuoso musicians such as Nazam, classical violinist Serena Leader, Algerian percussion master Abdelkader Saadoun, the soulful vocals of Chantelle Duncan and TV/film composer Mark Hinton Stewart, Berakah brings audiences together through music, challenging cultural stereo-types, raising awareness, encouraging acceptance and building bridges. Having success-fully toured the UK in 2007 the band are now looking to reach music audiences across the globe.
The word "Berakah", meaning grace, blessings or forgiveness, is found in both Hebrew and Arabic and sums up the intent of the music perfectly. Each performance showcases dazzling interplay and deeply moving compositions with Jazz, Classical and Middle East-ern elements combining to create a memorable live experience.
Since their debut at the Respect Festival in 2005, Berakah have performed in such pres-tigious venues as The British Library, The British Museum, and a sold out show at St.Paul's in Covent Garden. In 2007 they undertook a year-long tour of the UK (sponsored by the Arts Council) finishing with a sold out performance in Central London. The Times, in a feature on Berakah, said:
"It is music to make you close your eyes and dance in your head - an arresting confec-tion of jazzy improvisation, catchy Middle Eastern chords and the beat of the darabuka drum."
The band was formed by Mohammed (Mo) Nazam, (who has played with The Jazz Warri-ors, Steve Williamson and Keith Waithe amongst others) with the aim of encouraging non-violence, peaceful co-existence, dialogue between people of differing faiths, raise aware-ness of common roots of the three main monotheistic faiths and the celebration of diver-sity. Berakah seeks to draw audiences from a variety of faiths so that Jews, Muslims and Christians (and people of other faiths, of course!) can sit with each other and enjoy cultural events together.
Mo Nazam, founding member of Berakah said: 'Berakah can be enjoyed, and is relevant to, people of faith, people of little faith and those of no faith whatsoever! We are asking all people, whoever they are and whatever their beliefs, to support our message of good mu-sic and non-violence
Clips from their debut album "Music for the Heart" can be hear on their web-site at
http://www.theberakahproject.org
Combining both powerful music and a meaningful philosophy Berakah are helping to make music a powerful force in society once again. Berakah truly make "Music for the Heart".
For more information please go to:
http://www.theberakahproject.org