USA: Musician Blends Iraqi Music Tradition into New York Jazz

Jazzman revives Iraqi traditions

Matt Wells (BBC News)

The scene was vintage New York: a cosy jazz club on one of the city’s hippest streets, packed with music lovers bellying-up to the dimly lit bar.

But as the crowd swelled, it was impossible not to notice the strong middle-eastern presence.

Arabic, Farsi and Hebrew, mixed with the flow of excited American English.

New York jazz has always been a fusion of black, white and whatever, but the 29-year-old musician Amir ElSaffar is developing a style that is genuinely unique, and also – given his background – dreadfully poignant.

The eclectic audience gathered together at Rose Live Music, were there to hear a musical fusion that combines the centuries-old classical tradition of Iraq – known as the maqam – with the free-flowing spirit of contemporary jazz…

CAIR Action Alert: Sami Al-Arian Hunger Strike

In the Name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful

CAIR ACTION ALERT #507

WRITE LETTERS IN SUPPORT OF DR. AL-ARIAN
Imprisoned Florida professor collapses on 23rd day of hunger strike

(WASHINGTON D.C., 2/15/07) – The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is calling on American Muslims and other people of conscience to write letters in support of Dr. Sami Al-Arian, a former Florida professor currently on a hunger strike in federal detention to protest his treatment by U.S. authorities.

Family members report that Al-Arian collapsed on the 23rd day of his fast and has been moved from Virginia to a medical facility in North Carolina.

Al-Arian began his hunger strike more than three weeks ago after being given a sentence of up to 18 months for refusing to testify before a grand jury in Virginia. His attorneys say an earlier plea agreement freed him from further cooperation with the government. Supporters say the government’s actions amount to a form of harassment… [Continued]

FreeWay Blogger: Impeachment Project

Check out The FreeWay Blogger. If you feel inspired, feel free to submit your own photographic work to the Impeachment Project.

The Impeachment Project:

If you feel George W. Bush should be impeached, paint a sign that says “Impeach.” and post it in a public place…

…FUN FACT!

If everyone in this country who felt President Bush should be impeached put up a sign, there’d be over 85 million signs.