World Music Series

Omar Faruk Tekbilek
and his ensemble

Hailing from the southern Turkish city of Adana, Omar Faruk Tekbilek is a multi-instrument virtuoso whose music is firmly rooted in his homeland’s culture. His performances typically include the nay (bamboo flute), zurna (double-reed oboe-like instrument), baglama (long-necked lute), and percussion. In recent years Faruk, has reached out to music from different parts of the world, working with musicians ranging from Don Cherry and Ginger Baker to Ofra Haza and Youssou N’Dour. He is regularly featured at festivals and concert halls from Taiwan to Tel Aviv. Faruk’s Kilbourn Hall concert will range from interpretations of traditional Sufi and folk music to contemporary sounds of the Middle East.

Wu Man and Friends

Wu Man
pipa, voice

Lee Knight,
banjo, dulcimer, mouth bow, voice

James Makubuya,
endongo, adungu, voice

Acclaimed Chinese pipa virtuoso Wu Man, known for her collaborations with cellist Yo-Yo Ma, the Kronos Quartet, Philip Glass, and many of the world’s great orchestras, joins forces with Ugandan James Makubuya and American Lee Knight in an unlikely convergence of music from China, Uganda, and the southern Appalachian mountains. Framed as a series of lyrical dialogues between the pipa, banjo, and Ugandan endongo, this concert will celebrate the affinity and variety of the world’s plucked instruments.

Eastman’s Gamelan Lila Muni

The annual concert by Eastman’s resident Gamelan Lila Muni (Heavenly Sound) has become a favorite event of Rochester’s world music audience. Of course, many of this dedicated audience are current or former members of Lila Muni — a Balinese percussion ensemble comprised of Eastman students, faculty, and staff, and members of the Rochester community. Join us for this colorful event featuring traditional and contemporary gamelan music and ceremonial dances.