USTAD NOOR BAKHSH *live

In the organizer's words:

Ustad Noor Bakhsh is the living archive of an infinitely rich musical tradition: the almost 80-year-old musician from the remote Pakistani region of Balochistan is a master of the benju, a kind of zither with a keyboard, from which he elicits unique soundscapes. Once a Japanese children's toy called Taishōkoto, which sailors brought to Pakistan, it was further developed there into a sophisticated folk instrument Noor Bakhsh plays an electric version of the benju, which he amplifies with an old pickup and a small guitar amp. He has already caused a sensation with his instrument at Fusion. It's great that he's now back in Europe.

Noor Bakhsh is deeply rooted in the musical traditions of Balochistan, but also spans a wide range from Indian ragas, which he interprets in his very own, experimental style, to Persian and Kurdish melodies and Afghan ghazal, thus combining sounds that were already widespread in his country before the establishment of the modern borders between Iran and Pakistan and the partition of Balochistan. With a repertoire that includes interpretations of Bollywood classics as well as richly inspired original compositions, he is already legendary on the Makran coast and has finally become known worldwide through his latest recordings and videos. His debut album "Jingul" was released digitally in late 2022 on the Pakistani label honiunhoni, was released on vinyl by Hive Mind Records in the UK in September 2023 and is currently receiving rave reviews everywhere.

Noor Baksh's electric benju sound and melodic flourishes are reminiscent of the style of Ali Farka Touré, polyrhythmic, grooving innovation and improvisation very similar to the music of West and East Africa. This is not surprising when you think of the well-documented migration and maritime connections between Balochistan and Africa across the Indian Ocean. His music brings this world to life.

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