Music from the Silk Road Izro Malakov Ensemble Saturday, May 17th at 7:30 p.m.

The drone of strings, the rhythmic chime of tambourines, wailing vocals that sometimes explode in celebration and at other times weave mesmerizing Sufi inspired tapestries of hypnotic sound: to hear Bukharan music is to be transported to another time and place – the Silk Road, not far from legendary Samarkand. The ancient city of Bukhara is located in modern-day Uzbekistan, but its traditional music, Shashmaqam, is the soundtrack of the past – of the caravans that once connected East and West.

The Izro Malakov Ensemble bears the cultural imprint of millennia, representing a musical heritage that is linked to family lineages of Bukharan Jewish musicians. Embedded in the sound is the complex cultural symbiosis between Jews and Muslims – the long centuries before the present day, when they were neighbors and allies sharing music and bloodlines. This notable ensemble performed at Carnegie Hall as part of the “Silk Road Project” under the direction of Yo-Yo Ma – now, Houston enjoys a unique opportunity to celebrate this Central Asian tradition. Come be transported, through the artistry of the Izro Malakov Ensemble, as they present songs in Tajik, Uzbek, and Hebrew.

Free and open to the public. Call Asia Society Texas Center for more information 713-439-0051.