The phenomenal Canadian guitarist Gordon Grdina is the founder of The Marrow, a group focusing on Arabic maqam and Persian dastgah. For centuries, these types of music have had their own soul and meditative character, in contrast with the dominant western music culture. The Marrow pays homage to tradition with new music and intoxicating improvisations. The title of their most recent album is Safar-e-Daroon, which means ‘inner journey’.
In The Marrow, Grdina plays guitar alongside oud, the Arabic lute. Originally from Iran, percussionist Hamin Hinari plays Persian hand drums. The group is completed by three well-known improvising string players. American cellist Hank Roberts has been performing on our stage since the 1980s, and has recently appeared here in Bill Frisell’s group. Violinist Mark Feldman has played here in many different line-ups, for example with his piano playing partner Sylvie Courvoisier. Double bassist at this concert is Ernst Glerum, a member of ICP Orchestra, among others.
Gordon Grdina oud, Mark Feldman violin, Hank Roberts cello, Ernst Glerum double bass, Hamin Honari Tombak daf/percussion