Jazz at Lincoln Center goes full swing at Ithra for three nights

New York-based band dressed in suits, kimonos and traditional Saudi attire performed at Ithra for local jazz lovers. (Supplied)
New York-based band dressed in suits, kimonos and traditional Saudi attire performed at Ithra for local jazz lovers. (Supplied)
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Updated 20 May 2023

Jazz at Lincoln Center goes full swing at Ithra for three nights

New York-based band dressed in suits, kimonos and traditional Saudi attire performed at Ithra for local jazz lovers. (Supplied)
  • The performance included 11 perfectly paced jazz songs with a sonic repertoire

DHAHRAN: For three spectacular nights from May 18-20, Jazz at Lincoln Center performed at Ithra for local jazz lovers. For the occasion, the New York-based band dressed in suits, kimonos and traditional Saudi attire performed with Saudi singer Loulwa Al-Sharif.

The performance included 11 perfectly paced jazz songs with a sonic repertoire consisting of classic jazz, Afro-Cuban beats and everything in between. The set list was thoughtful, serving as an audible journey through the history of jazz while also incorporating the culture of the current host country.

In true jazz fashion, it was a night of collaboration and improvisation.




The program included 11 perfectly paced jazz songs that ranged from classic jazz to Afro-Cuban beats. (Supplied)

With the brisk, New York City jazz tempo and the laid-back Sharqiya attitude, the combination was a match made in jazz heaven. Small clusters of seats were situated on each end of the stage to resemble a jazz club setting.

Saudi songstress Al-Sharif brought all audience members to their feet as she entered the stage and was visibly moved by the audience’s fierce applause.

Known for being the first woman to perform publicly in Saudi Arabia, Al-Sharif told the audience she was humbled at the honor of being part of their evening.




The program included 11 perfectly paced jazz songs that ranged from classic jazz to Afro-Cuban beats. (Supplied)

With just a one-hour rehearsal, the band and Al-Sharif were able to capture the essence of the jazz era and customize it to the Dhahran setting, a testament to how music brings cultures together.

With lead vocals by the prodigious trumpet talent Benny Benack III and Tahira Clayton, the duo sang their hearts out to beats by bassist Mark Lewandowski. The music was complete with Charles Goold on drums, Jocelyn Gould on guitar, and Miki Yamanaka on piano.

“I encourage all you guys — you should have your fingers snapping, your toes tapping. I’m not going to tell you to get up in the aisles and dance but I’m not going to stop you,” Benack told the audience at one point.




The program included 11 perfectly paced jazz songs that ranged from classic jazz to Afro-Cuban beats. (Supplied)

With dizzying vocal charms and impressive talents, an enthusiastic audience and a dynamic band on stage, the musical geniuses of jazz greats such as Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby, Duke Ellington and others were presented. The set included Ellington’s “In a Mellow Tone” and favorites such as Fitzgerald’s “Cheek to Cheek” and “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.”

Earlier that day, the seats were filled with students from a couple of local schools. Benack shared his experience meeting them: “For some of them, it was their first live music performance ever; it was the first time they’d seen some of these instruments.

“So, I explained to them what swing is. And I said to those students the same thing I’ll say to you guys: Swing is the groove that makes you move.”




The program included 11 perfectly paced jazz songs that ranged from classic jazz to Afro-Cuban beats. (Supplied)

The hour-long event was a true medley of East and West. The ever-popular “What a Wonderful World” seemed to get everyone singing along. The set concluded with a standing ovation that lasted several minutes.

On the first two nights, the show ended with a Q&A session with Ninyaz Aziza, a presenter for Energy Radio.

“I have to say the thing that I’m maybe most really excited about — that I didn’t realize until we came out and played for you because this is our first audience in Saudi — was just how wonderful the audience would be. That is something that I will carry back to New York City.

“If anybody asks, I’m going to say you got to go out to Saudi Arabia. Because they know how to have a good time,” Benack told the crowd to hot applause.

 

 


Diriyah celebrates winners of folk dance initiative

Diriyah celebrates winners of folk dance initiative
Updated 03 June 2023

Diriyah celebrates winners of folk dance initiative

Diriyah celebrates winners of folk dance initiative
  • Authority promoting Ardah among young Saudis to preserve cultural heritage
  • The training program on Ardah skills is the first of two phases of the initiative, followed by an evaluation stage and a closing ceremony

RIYADH: The Diriyah Gate Development Authority concluded the third Diriyah House of Ardah initiative as part of its efforts to promote the ancient art form.
The ceremony was held at At-Turaif World Heritage Site to honor 10 finalists out of 80 participants.
Ardah is registered in the UNESCO List of World Intangible Cultural Heritage. The dance features a chant that was once used to rouse warriors facing an enemy. Performers, dressed in traditional costumes, dance with swords to the beat of drums. Combining poetry with masterful displays of swordsmanship, the Ardah represents Saudi loyalty and pride.
In cooperation with the National Center for Saudi Ardah, the initiative trains young people with the help of skilled performers in the art of Ardah to enhance their role in reviving the cultural heritage of the Kingdom.
The training program on Ardah skills is the first of two phases of the initiative, followed by an evaluation stage and a closing ceremony. Participants in the scheme are aged between 12 and 17.
The ceremony included a welcoming of guests at the gate of At-Turaif, followed by an anthem and a royal greeting before the beginning of the Ardah performance.
Jerry Inzerillo, group CEO of the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, delivered a speech after the opening performance.
He highlighted the commitment of the commission in preserving and fostering the cultural and historical identity of the Kingdom.
Inzerillo hailed the success of the initiative as well as the performers who took part in its third edition.
Dr. Badran Al-Honaihen, cultural and historical validation director at the Diriyah Gate Development Authority, discussed the history of the initiative before the closing Ardah dance and honoring of the winning performers.
“Diriyah contains a lot of important intangible heritage, but perhaps the most important of all of its heritage, without a doubt, is the Saudi Ardah, which has many details,” he said.
Abdulrahman Mohammed bin Sabtan, one of the performers, told Arab News: “I have been training for this for about three months. Thankfully, I reached the finals and won tonight.”
Sabtan, Faisal Al-Ghowainim, Mubarak bin Buraik and Ali Al-Shayeb were crowned winners of the scheme.
Many family members of participants were present at the event, with relatives eager to view the hard practice of the Ardah performers in action.
“The event was great. Everything was organized in terms of when it started and how it ended. Their reception was also nice. Everything was beautiful and called for pride in Diriyah and our traditions, especially since I am from Diriyah,” said Arwa bin Faris, a guest and one of the performer’s sisters.


Heritage Commission discovers ancient Arabic inscription in Najran

Heritage Commission discovers ancient Arabic inscription in Najran
Updated 03 June 2023

Heritage Commission discovers ancient Arabic inscription in Najran

Heritage Commission discovers ancient Arabic inscription in Najran
  • The inscription, the sixth-oldest according to the latest records, is located in Al-Haqqan mountain
  • Ka’b bin Amr bin Abd Manat, an Arabian merchant, initially recorded the inscription around the year 380

JEDDAH: One of the oldest known Arabic inscriptions in Saudi Arabia has been discovered during survey work, the Heritage Commission announced.
The inscription, the sixth-oldest according to the latest records, is located in Al-Haqqan mountain at the Hima cultural area of the Najran region in southern Saudi Arabia.
Ka’b bin Amr bin Abd Manat, an Arabian merchant, initially recorded the inscription around the year 380. He came across the inscription while traveling to his home in the northwest of the Arabian Peninsula.
Abd Manat recorded and sealed the Arabic inscription with the date of its implementation according to the Nabataean calendar, using the method of Nabataean symbols with numerical values.
The modern discovery of the Al-Haqqan inscription is a valuable historical addition to the register of early Arabic writings before Islam, the commission said.
The Al-Haqqan inscription also showcases an important stage in the development of Arabic writing.
Several inscriptions across the Kingdom predate the Al-Haqqan inscription, including three in AlUla governorate and another in Najran, as well as others in Jouf and Tabuk.
The discovery is part of the commission’s efforts to discover the heritage of various Saudi regions, as well as preserve protected areas.
The commission also seeks to benefit from antiquities and national heritage as an important cultural and economic resource within the National Strategy for Culture of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.
With several ancient inscriptions and burial mounds, Hima cultural area is one of the largest open museums in the world. The area is registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Najran region.
It extends over an area of about 557 km, and includes caves and mountains containing rock art and thousands of inscriptions.
 


Saudi foreign minister attends Erdogan’s presidential inauguration in Turkiye

Saudi foreign minister attends Erdogan’s presidential inauguration in Turkiye
Updated 47 min 4 sec ago

Saudi foreign minister attends Erdogan’s presidential inauguration in Turkiye

Saudi foreign minister attends Erdogan’s presidential inauguration in Turkiye

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Faisal bin Farhan arrived in the Turkish capital, Ankara, to participate in the inauguration ceremony of Recep Tayyip Erdogan for a new presidential term, the Kingdom’s foreign ministry announced on Saturday.

Erdogan was sworn in for a third term as president, after winning a historic runoff election to extend his two-decade rule.

The inauguration in parliament will be followed by a lavish ceremony at his palace in Ankara attended by dozens of world leaders.

(With AFP)


Saudi king, crown prince send condolences to Kuwait emir over death of family member

Saudi king, crown prince send condolences to Kuwait emir over death of family member
Updated 03 June 2023

Saudi king, crown prince send condolences to Kuwait emir over death of family member

Saudi king, crown prince send condolences to Kuwait emir over death of family member

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman sent a cable of condolences to Kuwait’s Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on the death of Sheikh Mohammed Sabah Mohammed Sabah Al-Salman Al-Sabah, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

The king said: “We learned of the news of the death of Sheikh Mohammed Sabah Mohammed Sabah Al-Salman Al-Sabah and we send to Your Highness and the family of the deceased our deepest and sincere condolences.”

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also sent a similar cable to the Kuwaiti emir and another cable to his counterpart Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.

The Amiri Diwan in Kuwait announced the death of the late Sheikh Mohammed on Friday morning.


Saudi king, crown prince offer condolences to president of India after deadly train crash

Saudi king, crown prince offer condolences to president of India after deadly train crash
Updated 03 June 2023

Saudi king, crown prince offer condolences to president of India after deadly train crash

Saudi king, crown prince offer condolences to president of India after deadly train crash
  • Nearly 300 people have died and hundreds of others were injured in the disaster

RIYADH: King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman offered their condolences to the President of India Droupadi Murmu following a deadly train crash in the state of Odisha.

Nearly 300 people have died and hundreds of others were injured in eastern India when three trains collided in one of the worst rail disasters in the country’s history, authorities said on Saturday.

“We learned of the news of a collision of several trains in the state of Odisha, India, and the resulting deaths and injuries,” Saudi Press Agency reported the king as saying. 

“We share with Your Excellency the pain of this affliction, we send to you and the families of the deceased and your friendly people our condolences and sincere sympathy, wishing the injured a speedy recovery,” he added.

The crown prince also shared his “deepest condolences and sincere sympathy” to the president, SPA reported.