RALEIGH / SONGS OF MESOPOTAMIA
The concert will begin with songs in Turkish, Persian and Arabic songs and will end with Kurdish, Turkish, Arabic, Armenian and Syriac folk songs from Mesopotamia, the intersection of civilizations.
Featured Songs:
-Gole Sangam (Persian)
-Gurbet aksamlari
-El Hilwa Di (Arabic)
-Yedi Kule
-Soltane Ghalba (Persian)
-Ada Sahilleri
-Nassam Aleyna (Arabic)
-Gamzedeyim
-Fikrimin ince gulu
-Uskudara Gider Iken / Ya Banat Iskandaria / Anadolka (Turkish – Arabic – Bosnian)
-Kadifeden kesesi
-Indim havuz basina
-Yedikule
-Ayazen / Muhabbet bagi
and final with Diyarbakir, Elazig, Urfa, Mardin folk songs:
-Urfanin etrafi
-Saza niye gelmedin
-Diyarbakir yoluna
-Suzan suzi
-Neden geldim Amerikaya etc….
-Ertugrul Erkisi (Oud,Cumbush,Vocal) – A renowned, multiinstrument player Turkish artist with 35 years of professional music life. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Ege University Conservatory. He taught maqam, repertoire, and Turkish tambur instrument for three years at the same institution. He worked as a singer at TRT for 12 years. His compositions and musical projects have sold millions of copies and earned him numerous prestigious awards. He currently resides in the United States, where he has been living for the past nine years, continuing his musical projects and concerts.
– Tarik Ucmakli (Percussion) – Master percussionist from Turkey, blending Eastern and Western traditions.
-Aslihan Erkisi is a Turkish artist with roots in Preveza, Greece, and she was born in Germany. She graduated first in her conservatory education across all branches of the ITU Conservatory and served as a maqam music lecturer at ITU. Aslihan has won top prizes in prestigious vocal competitions in Turkey and has contributed as a solo singer on hit albums. She is also a choir director and has served as a jury member for well-known music competitions around the world. In addition to her singing, she performs on instruments like the piano, Istanbul kemence, and kanun, showcasing her passion for Turkish music.
-Kaisar Anvar is a Uyghur-American pianist and educator known for his powerful performances and dedication to preserving Uyghur music. Trained in China, Uzbekistan, and the U.S., including at Yale School of Music, he blends classical piano with cultural storytelling. Now based in Virginia, he performs, teaches, and researches traditional Uyghur musical heritage.
Gulru Erkisi is a very talented young singer, guitarist, and Istanbul Kemenche player. In the next 7–8 years, she is likely to become known in the U.S. and around the world. We are witnessing the beginning of a special artist’s musical journey.
Location: KENAN RECITAL HALL at BROWNE – McPherson MUSIC BUILDING
Address: 15 EAST PEACE ST. RALEIGH, NC 27604
Parking: Free parking available