"Ensemble Al-Asdeka are a world-fusion band from Michigan, inspired primarily by Middle Eastern and North African traditional music. Their founder member, tabla player Kathy Roberts, absorbed the music of North Africa whilst having lived in this location for some years. Flute, violin, guitar and sax appear here alongside sumbati and djembe, adding elements of rock, classical, jazz, and various European folk musics (eg Spanish, Eastern European, British, Greek), to create a truly eclectic, cosmopolitan mix. Very impressive stuff! More info at www.www.myspace.com/ensemblealasdeka"
Flute Taqsim from debut CD is Qatar tourism video soundtrack. (below)
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"Mesmerizing and romantic with its lush instrumentation and hypnotic melodies"
says Emily Stavrou, production coordinator for Schuler Books and Music
"... the music of Ensemble Al-Asdeka combines riveting Middle Eastern folk music with a modern jazz/rock twist. Listen to the track "Shashkin" and tell me it's not mesmerizing stuff."
John Sinkevics, music reviewer for the Grand Rapids Press
Ensemble Al-Asdeka takes listeners on a melodic journey melding traditional Arabic music from long ago and far away with the modern instrumentation of jazz and rock. The fiery guitar work of D. Adam Estner and sinuous flute melodies by Dan Giacobazzi and evocative vocals by Aziza Poggi (added in 2009) weave a prismatic tapestry accentuated by driving Middle Eastern rhythms played by Kathy Roberts creating a sound that is uniquely their own.
Founded in 2004 by tabla-player Kathy Roberts after years ofliving off and on in North Africa with versatile guitarist D. Adam Estner; Dan Giacobazzi, a long-time artist of many instruments and genres, and vocalist, Aziza Poggi, the ensemble churns out danceable tunes that are greater Middle Eastern in flavor, seasoned with rock and jazz influences. Influences include Baba Zula, the Mermen, Dick Dale, Omar Faruk Tekbilek, Jose Luis Monton, Souad Massi, Glykeria.
