Sephardic World Music Festival Presents: Asefa and Layaliel Andalus December 22, 2008

Asefa was founded in 2001 by bandleader and composer Samuel Thomas. From the Hebrew word for "collecting," Asefa brings together diverse worlds. Traversing a wide musical landscape, Asefa travels from Morocco to Persia, Poland to America and back. Thomas' arrangements and original compositions, imbued with contemporary concepts in improvisation and instrumentation, reflect the spirit of music making integral to World history.
www.asefamusic.com

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While traditional Andalusian music is hardly associated with The Museum of Modern Art, our visitors were treated to the unexpected in a beautiful, impassioned performance by Rachid Halihal and Layali El Andalus who appeared at MoMA as part of a special music series in conjunction with the exhibition, Dalí: Painting and Film. This summer event, set outdoors among the artworks, trees, and reflecting pools in The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Sculpture Garden, took on an air of pure magic. All 300 plus seats were filled with mesmerized listeners while many others stood in rapt or danced with joy. It was a unique and unforgettable evening.
www.layalielandalus.com

Official Website: http://www.sephardicmusicfestival.com/events/