While the Middle East is making headlines for all the wrong reasons, the Awakenings ensemble is a timely reminder of the exotic and mesmerising music from the region.
Led by Perth drummer and pianist Michael Pignéguy, the quintet blend contemporary jazz with Persian flair, creating an exciting palette of sound.
The talented group includes Iranian flautist/percussionist Esfandiar Shahmir and Lebanese guitarist Michael Edelby, who use traditional instruments like the oud, daf and ney.
While they were on tour, tensions escalated in the Middle East, so they kept in close contact with their families back home.
• The Awakenings ensemble is led by Michael Pignéguy (above, middle).
“There were some disturbing developments that took place,” Pignéguy says.
“The feeling of distance and powerlessness which I think they have both experienced is quite difficult for anyone who hasn’t lived through something similar to understand.
“As a result, I mentioned the conflict openly during each performance that we undertook on the tour and highlighted the fact that we, as a multinational group of artists, represented one way that people from different backgrounds could work together in creative ways to make a positive difference in the world.
“This message was well received across all of the cities that we visited and is a foundational value for the group.”
The Awakenings ensemble was founded in 2011 while Pignéguy was living in the Middle East, doing soundtrack work in Dubai and teaching at the Qatar Music Academy, which had both Arab and Western music departments.
He became interested in how Arab and Oriental rhythms could be applied to the Western drum kit, and began composing songs.
“Due to the structure of the Qatar Music Academy and the fact that it had links with the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, it was easy for me to interact with musicians from Syria, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon and other countries,” Pignéguy says.
“Before long I had a number of pieces written and then started to record them.
“I sent these back to friends in Australia and booked a show at The Ellington to showcase them—primarily with jazz-based players but with extra Arab percussion instruments.”
The gig was recorded and formed the basis of the ensemble’s first album Speak.
Over the years, the line-up of Awakenings has changed, but Pignéguy says this version is the most stable and exciting, with band members playing multiple instruments live.
“I am the main composer, but other members bring in both compositions and suggestions for new repertoire,” he says.
“We will be performing an arrangement and composition by Esfandiar Shahmir, and Steve Richter has also contributed one of the percussion-focused pieces.
“This input makes it exciting both for me as leader and the group as a whole because the richness of the music is extended.”
Influenced by artists like Anouar Brahem, Ibrahim Maalouf, Dhafer Youssef and Fairouz, the band play a varied set that includes everything from driving, high-octane numbers to quiet, atmospheric ballads.
“The overall aim of the group is to present original material that allows us to tell stories through our performances.”
“However, the non-original inclusions—as long as they have been re-interpreted—also have quite an important place.”
The Awakenings Ensemble: Tales from the Orient is at Freo Social in Fremantle this Sunday (June 14) 5pm. For tickets and more info check out www.moshtix.com.au.