Nashaz at Drom

Arresting and compelling, Nashaz will immediately engage fans of Arabic music, jazz, and masterful oud playing. Brian Prunka's 1930s Nahat oud takes center stage, and moments like the belly dance-inspired Hijaz Nashaz; the mysterious melody of City of Sand; and the fiery Jurjina reveal a depth of understanding of ornamentation and phrasing that prove him a serious contender on the instrument. As a composer, Prunka successfully blurs the lines between two sonic worlds, creating music that showcases the best of both, while striking out in stirring new directions. Nashaz reflects the best of both worlds and fans of jazz, Arabic music, and great instrumental playing and composing will find much to enjoy on this concert celebrating their new CD release. ...

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Arresting and compelling, Nashaz will immediately engage fans of Arabic music, jazz, and masterful oud playing. Brian Prunka's 1930s Nahat oud takes center stage, and moments like the belly dance-inspired Hijaz Nashaz; the mysterious melody of City of Sand; and the fiery Jurjina reveal a depth of understanding of ornamentation and phrasing that prove him a serious contender on the instrument. As a composer, Prunka successfully blurs the lines between two sonic worlds, creating music that showcases the best of both, while striking out in stirring new directions. Nashaz reflects the best of both worlds and fans of jazz, Arabic music, and great instrumental playing and composing will find much to enjoy on this concert celebrating their new CD release.

Transplanted to Brooklyn from New Orleans, Prunka brings together jazz adventurousness, New Orleans rhythm, and years of experience with Arabic music as an essential voice in the band. Aside from leading Nashaz, he has performed internationally with Simon Shaheen, Michael Bates, Ravish Momin, the New York Arabic Orchestra, The Vancouver International Orchestra, Zikrayat, The Near East River Ensemble, and others. Joined by a coterie of top-notch NY jazz and world musicians like Kenny Warren on trumpet (Slavic Soul Party), George Mel and Vin Scialla (Snehasish Mozumder), expect an evening of seductively fascinating music.

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