Sounds of Salaam

Enjoy your Sunday at Te Matatiki Toi Ora with the amazing sounds of Asia and the Middle East including Persia, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan and Arabia - music that has been shaped over centuries by amazingly vibrant and distinct musical traditions. Listen to some amazing performances or participate in a free workshop (first come first served!).

You’ll enjoy music that is fragile, visceral, spiritual, rhythmic, physical, mystical and profound. Doors open 11am

Performance Timetable

Please note that this timetable is subject to change.

11.00 - 11.45am Noor Ensemble                                            

This cross-cultural ensemble incorporates Middle Eastern and South Asian rhythmic patterns and melodies to create an exciting jazz fusion style. Featuring Tamara Smith, Fahim Imam, Doug Brush, Michael Story and Chris Dabinett.

12.00 - 12.20pm Sounds of Kazakhstan

Ōtautahi is home to Aotearoa’s first and only performance group dedicated to the music and dance of Kazakhstan. The group is led by Madina and Dave Pitt, a wife-and-husband musician duo who also serve as the Honorary Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan in New Zealand. They will present a couple of Kazakh folk songs, using the traditional Kazakh dombra alongside contemporary instruments, followed by a traditional dance by Nomad Soul Dance Group

12.30pm Zuhr - Call to Prayer (led by Fahim Imam)

12.40 - 1.00pm Sounds of Afghanistan

This performance is led by multi-instrumentalist from Afghanistan, Aryan Kausari, who will sing and play harmonium. He will be joined by guest musicians on the Afghan rabab and tabla. Their repertoire features lively and energetic folk tunes from across Afghanistan, performed with authenticity and passion. The unmistakably upbeat Afghan rhythms are sure to get you clapping along, and maybe even up on your feet!

1.15 - 1.45pm Sounds of Turkey

Members of the Wellington-based Turkish music group Huzur will showcase a selection of pieces spanning 500 years of Turkish and Ottoman musical history. From popular folk tunes to classic songs, contemporary pieces, and improvisations (Taksim), Huzur aim to share and celebrate Turkey’s rich musical heritage.  Featuring Yasar Guzel on the Bağlama, Liam Reburn on the Guitar, and Mark Wilkinson on the Oud.

2.00 - 2.45pm Sounds of Persia

Founded and directed by Iranian multi-instrumentalist Esmail Fathi, this ensemble is dedicated to showcasing the rich traditions of Iranian music on stage in Ōtautahi. The talented group of musicians and vocalists performs using a wide range of classical and folk instruments, featuring Daniel Shafei Nasab (santoor, vocals), Esmail Fathi (tonbak, vocals), Hossein Askarinejad (setar), Shayan Zarakhsh (violin), Liam Oliver (tar, tanbur), Pragunya Myers-Daly (oud), Nelson Myers-Daly (bansuri), Maryam Nejat (daf), Shayan Zarakhsh (violin) and Mohammad Pour (daf).

3.00 - 3.45pm Sounds of Arabia

This section will feature a diverse selection of music from the Arabic world, including Syrian folk, Arabic classical, and Islamic nasheeds. Nasheeds are devotional songs whose lyrics typically carry meaning relating to Islamic faith, history and culture, expertly sung by Moroccan singer Abdelilah Rharrabti. The folk and classical songs are sung by Syrian vocalist and oud player Modar Nakshbandi. These singers will be accompanied by Nelson Myers-Daly (riq), Pragunya Myers-Daly (oud), Shayan Zarakhsh (violin) and Liam Oliver (saz).

4.00 - 4.45pm Sounds of India

Qawwali is a form of Sufi Islamic devotional music that originated in the Indian subcontinent, particularly around North India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. This performance is led by Waris Rajput, a powerful vocalist with dextensive experience in Sufi, Gurbani and Indian classical music. The group will welcome guest musicians Beat Singh (tabla), Kirat Singh (sarangi), and Varinder Shergill (vocals).

This performance will showcase a selection of songs by the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, reimagined through a unique fusion of traditional Qawwali with Persian and Punjabi folk influences. This includes the use of instruments not typically seen in Qawwali ensembles, such as the Rabab and Sarangi, paying tribute to the regional folk roots that have shaped the genre.

5.00 - 5.15pm Sounds of Solidarity

A special performance featuring musicians from various groups who performed throughout the day, coming together to present a well-known tune. Originally from Afghanistan, this melody has spread widely across the Muslim world over the centuries, with lyrics in Farsi, Arabic, Turkish, and Hindi. Instantly recognizable across cultures, this fusion offers a fitting way to close the evening, celebrating shared traditions that connect us all.  

Video Highlights from 2024

Workshop Timetable

(No booking required for these workshops)

12.30 - 1.30pm Drum Workshop - Women only (Cloisters Studio)

Women are invited to join Tamara  (Djembe) and Maryam (Daf) in a percussion workshop to explore rhythms, sounds and playing together in Cloisters Studio (bookings not required).

2.30 - 3.15pm Kazakh Folk Dance Workshop - Women only (Cloisters Studio)

Women are invited to join Madina Pitt and Khrystyna Ivanova and be introduced to the captivating art of Kazakh folk dance. In this workshop, you'll explore the foundations of the female Kazakh dance, uncover the symbolism behind the movements, and learn the basic elements.

Thank you to the Ministry for Ethnic Communities Te Tari Mātāwaka and the Creative Communities Scheme for supporting this event.

Full programme coming soon, watch this space.