A Tribute to Layla and Mounir Mourad, Nov 9 at the Jewish Museum
The Jewish Museum and Bang on a Can present a concert celebrating the works of Layla and Mounir Mourad, the Egyptian Jewish musical legends. Layla Mourad was one of the most important singers during the golden age of Arabic music and prolific composers for Arabic language film in the mid-1900s. Her music remains popular and influential across the Middle East to this day. Mourad, who came from a notable musical family, sang and starred in some of the most classic and celebrated films in Egyptian history. Her brother, Mounir Mourad was also a renowned actor and composer whose music, featured in this program, incorporated a modern, jazzy sound along with a conservative Arabic rhythm. This concert honors their lives, legacies and their family’s important contribution to Egyptian music along with their continued impact on the music scene in Cairo.
For this concert, Layla and Mounir Morad’s music has been arranged by Yousha Mourad, an Egyptian-American Jewish composer and vocalist. His goal is to continue the legacy of Layla, Zaki, and Mounir Mourad through his modern compositions in the Arabic language based on the Maqam/rhythmic approach used in the Mourad family’s music. This event is presented in conjunction with the current Jewish Museum exhibition Mood of the moment: Gaby Aghion and the house of Chloé.
Featuring:
Yousha Mourad: Vocals/Oud
Ismail Lumanovski: Clarinet
Safran Mansi: Percussion
Dayramir González: Piano
Michael Olatuja: Bass
Tamer Pinarbasi: Qanun
Thursday, November 9, 2023
7:30 – 9 pm EST
Scheuer Auditorium
Tickets: $22 General; $15 Students and Seniors; $12 Jewish Museum members
Includes Museum Admission; doors open at 7 pm