World Music to Move You

VAA New Works Series will bring the eclectic world music of Avaaza to stage Saturday, March 10, 7:30 p.m. Influenced by music from the Mediterranean region, including Flamenco, Gypsy, Arabic, Persian and North African, Avazza is also inspired by music of the Middle East, India and Southeast Asia. The eight-member band includes both Island musicians and talent from the surrounding region: Azula Phillips, vocals; Jason Everett, bass; Terri Garrett, clarinet; Charles Reed, guitar; Michael Nageub, flute and keyboard; Tracy Helming, violin; George Sadak, drums; S. Chandra Naraine, percussion. Together Avaaza captures both traditional and current world music through their innovative arrangements.

"This concert will combine music that is appropriate to sit and enjoy," says Everett, "Everything from meditative to lively." The group meets bi-weekly for rehearsals. "We inspire each other; we each bring so many different elements to the music," says Phillips. "We’re pushing our creative envelopes. The band vibe is fantastic and there’s a high level of musicianship," adds Everett.

Azula studied classical vocal training as a mezzo-soprano coloratura. She moved to Europe where she learned to sing in French, Spanish, Portuguese and Arabic. Everett, multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and back-up vocalist plays stringed and percussive instruments including seven-string fretted and fretless bass guitars and an electric sitar of his own design. Garrett, professional clarinetist and teacher, is a member of Northwest Sinfonietta and freelances with Seattle Symphony, Tacoma Symphony, Pacific Northwest Ballet and more. Reed has sung and played guitar for three decades, from folk and country to jazz and rock. Nageub studied nay (Egyptian flute) and keyboard at the University of Helwan Arabic Music Institute, then performed at the Cairo Opera House for 4 years before moving to Seattle where he teaches.

Tracy Helming received a master’s degree in violin performance from the Yale School of Music, and has performed with artists from Itschak Perlman to John Denver. A passionate performer of Middle Eastern dance, she has won numerous national competitions.

Born in Egypt, Geoge Sadak, internationally recognized drummer and Egyptian tabla player (dumbek) has played professionally for most of his life in a variety of styles including Middle Eastern music, Jazz, Balkan and Arabic. S. Chandra Naraine, born in Guyana, South America, plays instruments including the Darbukkah (Egyptian Tabla), Duf (Tar/Bendir/Doira/Framedrums) and Req.-by Janice Randall

Tickets, $12/$15, are available at VAA, Heron’s Nest, Vashon Bookshop, brownpapertickets.com, or call 463.5131.