Tonight, Levitt AMP Whitesburg will be graced by international Arabic flamenco jazz sensation, Farah Siraj—who’ll light up the stage with entrancing trilingual (Arabic/English/Spanish) fusions of Middle Eastern music, flamenco, jazz, bossa, pop and more. For today’s post, we’re bringing you 10 fun facts about this renowned singer/multi-instrumentalist, whose music serves as a medium for peace and celebration of the global community’s rich diversity.
1) Siraj grew up in Amman, Jordan’s capital city, where she was surrounded in Middle Eastern music on the radio and classical music training at home.
2) With one year of classical piano/music theory under her belt, she was invited to give her first solo performance at Jordan’s Royal Cultural Center—at the age of four!
3) By age 16 she was recognized as one of Jordan’s youngest composers.
4) She has studied music around in the globe—first in Jordan; then in Spain, where she moved with her family; then at Trinity College of Music in London, where she earned a diploma in music composition; and eventually in Boston, where she studied at the Berklee College of Music.
5) Named Jordan’s Musical Ambassadress, Siraj represents Jordan annually on United Nations World Peace Day.
6) Siraj uses her inclusive musical fusions to spread messages of peace to listeners of all ages and backgrounds—including King Abdullah II and Queen Rania of Jordan, King Juan Carlos of Spain and the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ban Ki-moon.
7) She has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious platforms, including the United Nations, Nobel Prize Hall, the World Economic Forum, The John F. Kennedy Center and many others.
8) During her 2013 tour of India, Siraj shared the stage with India’s most renowned composer, A.R. Rahman, performing Zariya live on MTV. The song went on to hit No. 1 on India’s music charts and No. 3 in the Middle East. (Check out this stunning multicultural collaboration in the video below!)
9) Siraj leads an ethnically diverse quintet of Arabian Flamenco Jazz, performing with world-class musicians from the Middle East, Europe, the United States and South America, who seamlessly weave together musical elements from all four regions.
10) As a humanitarian, Siraj raises awareness about the consequences of war and violence, and advocates for rights of women, refugees and animals. In recognition of her humanitarian efforts, she was invited to perform at the 2012 United Nations Humanitarian Awards, and her music was played before the United Nations Security Council before passing a legislation regarding the genocide in Darfur.
If you’re in the area, be sure to experience this global sensation live at the Levitt AMP Whitesburg Music Series, tonight at 7pm!